




^°':f^'."- y^-^«:'% ^*'^:^^'> 







i\ ^-^'f y^-. %/ -'i 










^•^.^-i* 



* a"? 












0^ "^ 













:*./'X" 



•'^^^'^• 
•*'% 







s^....,V .♦' 



J^.* J" \ '.^^. ^ 












O* .•'••' 









4V "S*, ► 





















'by 



^^^^ 



1^ 

...•V ^^'-^T.' ^- 'V''--- . 

"--/ .'^\ "w* .*^*- \/ --^^-^ • 







^P-T!. 









"W" * 



.«' 





4 0^ • « 

0^ .-.^J^.-- ^q, ^^<i> ^, 



♦ ^^^ ^. 



^"-^^^ 



\/ :^''. \.^" .'^^-^ "\/ .-^M-. 



•isJS^l' \, 









/•O* ^^yy^-, O. 



/ 
THE ROMANCE 



7f 6/ 

THE REVOLUTION 



TRUE STORIES OF THE ADVENTURES, ROMANTIC 

INCIDENTS, HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES, 

AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



u 



IDj^irS O'F '76. 



LLUSTRATED. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
PORTER & COATES, 

822 Chestnut Street. 



j^ -^-7^ 
^^^ ^ 

c^-^ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 

PORTER & COATES^ 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 




CAXTON PRESS OF 
EEMAN & CO., PHILADELPHIA 



CONTENTS 



Introduction, - - - . - * 1^ 

> Stories and Anecdotes of Washington, - ' ,'^^ 
I ^ Adventures of Marion, - - - - 40 

A Romantic Story, - - - - - 5H 
Capture, Imprisonment and Escape of Gen. Wadsworth, 62 

Gallant Enterprise of Major Barton, - - 69 

yAN Interesting Story, - - - - tb 

A Thrilling Narrative, - - - - 82 

> The Story of an Old Soldier, - - - 86 
Adventures of the Brothers Sammons, - - 92 

; Narrative of Frederick Sammons, - - - 102 

Deborah Sampson, - - - - H^ 

Joseph Bettys, - - - - - 11/ 

^Ir. and Mrs. Fisher, - - - - 122 

^Thrilling Adventure of Lieut. Slocumb, - -131 

/Execution of Col. Isaac Hayne, - - - 139 

/Adventures of Major General Clinton, - - 142 

(t Adventures of Lieut. Richard Dale, - - 144 

vMiSS MONCRIEFFE, - " * * " ^^"^ 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Page. 

VAn Extraordinary Adventure, - - - 150 

XMiss Moore, - - - - - - 162 

/Adventures of Mr. Ferris, - - - 165 

'^ Exploits of Sergeant Jasper, - - - 172 

><An Act of Mercy Rewarded, - • - - 176 

'Captain Nathan Hale, - - - - 179 

Capture of Captain Harper, - - - 184 

y, A Desperate Encounter, • - • - 190 

Anecdotes of Col. Horry, - - - 193 

A High Spirited Family, - - - - 197 

Escape of Captain Plunkett, - • 201 

Attempted Abduction of Gen. Schuyler, - - 203 

> Adventures of Dr. Caldwell, - - - 206 

Colonel AVillett, - - -- -209 

Intrepid Conduct of Major James, - 212 

A Novel Situation, - « . - 214 

The Death of Major Henley, - • 218 

Adventures of Col, Harper, - - - - 221 

.^ Narrow Escape of Col. Snipes, - - 225 

A Scene in the Forest, - - . - 228 

A Gallant Combat, - - - - 231 

A Gallant Enterprise, - - . - 233 

Narrative of Baroness Reidesel, - - 236 

Lydia Darrah, - - - - 249- 

Captcre of President Daggett, - - - 252 

Ml'rder of Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell, - - .. 255 

Captain Cunningham, . _ - - 259 

Adventure of a Soldier, - - - - 261 

y Adventures of Gen. Putnam, - - - 263 



CONTENTS. IX 

A Incidents at the Battle of Oriskant, - - 265 

.^Adventure of Col. Cochran, ... 268 

\^necdotes of Sergeant McDonald, - - - 270 

^ A Romantic Incident, - - - - 272 

)JIeroism of a Young Girl, - - - - 273 

X A Spy in Burgoyne's Camp, - - - 275 

> Capture of a Tory, . - - - ^ 277 

/.Captain Huddy, - - - - - 279 

Colonel Fisher, - - - - - 281 

An Escape from the Prison Ship, - - 284 

A Daring Youth, - - - - - 286 

Cruelty of the Tories. - - - - 288 

yAFFECTiNG Scenes, ----- 290 

^A Story of a Dog, - - - - 292 

Dicey Langston, - - - - 294- 

WONDERFUL EsCAPE FROM INDIANS, - - 296 

/A Patriotic Girl, . . . • - 302 

Trials of a Patriot, - - - * 304 

Mrs. Shubrick, - -- - - - 318 

/The Privateer, - - - - - 321 

\ The Maiden Warrior, - - - - 323- 

Major Israel Fearing, - - - - 326 

, Captivity of Ethan Allen, - - - - 328 

:• A Fair Exchange, - - - - - 334 

A Patriot's Sufferings, - - - - 335 

Col. John Small, - - - - 336 

Adventure by two Ladies, - - - - 338 

— Capture of Gen. Woodhull, - - - 339 
British Barbarity, ----- 34O 

Adventure of Charles Morgan, - - - 341 



X CONTENTS. 

Page 

Exploits on the Frontiers, - - - . 344 

David Elerson, - - . - 344 

Attack on Mr. Shankland's House, - - 346 

Daring Adventure of a Captive, - - 348 

A Gallant Defence, . . - - 349 

Heroism of a Woman, - - - 350 

A Stirring Incident, - - - » 35I 

A Daring Fellow, - - - - 352 

A Fearful Encounter, - - - - 355 

Miscellaneous Anecdotes, - - . - 359 

Incidents on the Border, , - - - 414 

Story of Nancy Hart, ... - 423 

Appendix, ------- 433 

History of the Sons of Liberty, - - 433 

A Revolutionary Relic, - - - 438 

Appointment of George Washington, - 440 



INTRODUCTION. 



The leading events of the War of Independence, are familiar 
to every American ; but there has been much recorded of stir- 
I'ing- incident which is not familiar to the American jDCople, and 
much remains yet to be disclosed, connected with even the promi- 
nent actors in the drama. From time to time, during the last 
fifty years, various sketches have appeared, recounting strange 
passages in the war ; and these sketches have been sometimes re- 
plete with extraordinary adventure and romantic situation of the 
most novel and thrilling kind ; but they have never, till now, 
been collected in any permanent form, and have been in danger, 
from merely appearing in the transitory periodicals of the day, o^ 
passing into utter oblivion. And, to preserve these legendary 
pictures from such oblivion, and to perpetuate them in the affec- 
tions of the American people, was the object of this work ; to col- 
lect these, and other fragments of history, as combined, would 
present a history of the romance of the Revolution, and a chroni- 
cle of the individual heroism, exploits, and adventures of those en- 
gaged in that struggle. 

Audit is only by such a histor}^, that we can have a forcible illus- 
tration of the age, and be enabled to understand and appreciate 
all that our forefathers did and suffered for the cause they espoused. 
Ponderous histories, that merely chronicle the movements of 



XII INTRODUCTION. 

armies, or the actions of governments, give but an inadequate 
conception of an era. We must look into the hearts of the peo- 
ple, see their motives and passions, if we would understand the 
merits of a contest. If we would understand how England, with 
all her wealth and greatness, could not conquer her wretched, 
starving colonies, we must go to the firesides of her opponents, 
and see in the virtues there nourished, and the love of freedom 
there fostered, a solution to the mystery. And to see and feel 
this legend were a thousand-fold more potent than cold and 
dignified history. By it, the living and breathing age is poi 
tray ed and brought home to our sympathies, in all its vivid reality. 
The fireside reminiscence, treasured with sacred reverence, that 
gives a fearful page of suftering, and cruelty and blood, wreaked 
on those our memory recalls in life, will sooner than the most 
studied eloquence of the historian, send us to our pillow with tear- 
ful sympathy, and thrilling gratitude for dangers past. Such 
fragments of history, although they are often excluded as un- 
suited to the dignity of history, are the surest preservers of a 
people's patriotism, and the most certain link between the pre- 
sent and former ages. 

This volume, therefore, in being the h^gendary part of the 
history, will promote a better knowledge of the spirit of the time, 
than can be derived from most any other source. Not that it is 
claimed to possess anything new, but the minute details of indi- 
vidual suftering and bravery, have been gathered together; the 
broken and dift'use rays have been centered into one focus, and 
the result is a romantic history, scarcely to be equalled. By this 
the reader sees, not the action of armies, but of the people. He 
enters directly into their spirit. He suffers, dares, and forbears 
with them. He feels all their manifold grievances, and bears with 



INTRODUCTION. XIII 

tliem the burthen laid upon their shoulders. All the minute 
springs of the contest are developed, and in the battle we see the 
impulse of each heart, and the despair or joy of the individual 
combatant; rejoice with him in the accomplishment of his 
cherished revenge, or weep over his untimely ftite. In short, we 
are transported to the scenes, and become actors in the drama, 
\vhereas, in the loftier air of history, we are only spectators. 

It is undoubtedly a truth, that injustice promotes injustice ; a 
jv^rong begun is only maintained by wrong continued. The first 
contest of England with America, sprang from tyl-anny ; she 
was the aggressor, the offending party ; and it seems to have been 
a moral consequence, that a war, thus unrighteous, should have 
been characterised by an entire violation of every hmiiaue and 
honorable purpose. The chivalry of the British soldier was compro 
mised by an invasion so monstrous, and this principle once ban- 
ished, there was nothing to restrain the sway of brutal passion, 
and cruelty and blood-thirstiness, were suffered to grow and foster 
in every breast. Never has England been engaged in a contest 
which has left so uneffaceable a stain as the struggle with 
America. The long established reputation of her army for 
courage and humanity, was sacrificed for the stigma of cruelty and 
ferocity ; and this stigma became affixed upon all concerned in the 
war. Wliat say the present English historians, of Rawdon, Tarle- 
ton and Cunningham ? What can future ages say of those 
arch-instruments of wrong and oppression ? Their history re- 
mains a monument of England's wrong ; and by their deeds alone 
could future ages determine the merits of the contest. Those 
who are impelled to a course by a sense of right, those who are 
engaged in the defence of a principle, never ari guilty of cruelty 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 

and o]>pression ; the sacredness of their cause, preserve their 
names unstained, and their souls imblemished. 

But perhaps the fact that we were rebels, aside fi-ora the injus- 
tice of their invasion, may have goaded them on to ferocity. 
Englisli history shows that that's a name on which the Engl is] i 
bestow no spnpathy, and for those thus ranked they allow no 
mercy. Such beings are without the pale of humanity, and are 
not to be treated with any faith, with whom no obligations are 
binding, and to whom no pity is due. With such severity, at 
least, were the rebel Scots treated on the sanguinary field of Cul- 
loden. We are all familiar with the atrocities committed on that 
day ; how, by the commands of the inhuman butcher, the Duke 
of Cumberland, the hapless Scots were shot down, bayoneted, 
and murdered, long after they had surrendered, and even while 
they were begging for quarter. 

But, indeed, the extent which British cruelty was inflicted upon 
us in the memorable contest of the Revolution, is scarcely appre- 
ciated by our countrymen. Nothing equals the determined, 
blood-thirsty fury which characterised it in some quarters of the 
union. It was almost a war of extermination in the South. 
There young lads were often shot do^vn, that they might not 
live to be full-groAvn rebels, and mothers brutally murdered, that 
they might bring forth no more enemies to the king. Among 
the people in villages, and in the open country, existed the 
greatest suffering, and often were manifested the noblest heroism, 
the loftiest patriotism, and the gi-andest fortitude. With such 
ferocity were they pursued by the British soldiery, that their 
only retreat became the army. At no moment were they 
safe. Neither in their beds, by their firesides, nor on the high 
wavs. Daily and nightly murder fi-ightened the time with their 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

atrocities. Reckless marauders traversed the country in all di- 
rections ; sparing neither age, sex, nor infancy. Nightly, the red 
flame glared upon the horizon, and houseless children hung over 
the desecrated and butchered forms of their parents. Bitter the 
hatred, malignant the revenge, that, on such occasions, woiild^ 
spring into existeuce, destined to find retribution in torrents of 
blood. 

It is claimed, that these atrocities were mostly chargeable upon 
the tories. This is partly true ; but it would have been impossible 
for any class of beings to have exceeded the ferocity of the Hessian 
hirelings. And the fiercest renegade in the whole South, could 
not have equalled the dark deeds of Tarleton. And as an evi- 
dence that not the tories, nor the marauders alone, but the Bri- 
tish army, and not the mere ignorant and brutalized privates, 
but many of the officers, the high-minded, honorable and chival- 
vic officers, were cognizant of the cruelties and atrocities prac- 
tised, we subjoin an extract from a letter, written by an officer in 
General Fraser's battalion, engaged in the unfortunate Battle of 
Long Island, which shows the spirit that actuated our enemies 
in that oppressive war. This is the extract : " The Hessians and 
cm- brave Highlanders gave no quarters ; and it was a fine sight 
to see with what ahicrity they despatched the i-ebels with their 
bayonets, after we had surrounded them so they could not resist ! 
We took care to tell the Hessians that the rebels had resolved to 
give no quarter — to them in particular — which made them fight 
desperately, and put to death all that came in tlieir hands." 
What are we to think of such savage and diabolic conduct ? 

But of all atrocities, those committed in the prisons and prison- 
ships of New York, are the most execrable ; and, indeed, there 
IS nothing in history to excel the barbarities there inflicted. It is 



XVI INTRODUCTION. 

stated that the enormous number of nearly twelve thousand 
American prisoners " suffered death by their inhuman, cruel, 
savage and barbarous usage on board the filthy and malignant 
British prison-ship, called the Jersey, lying in New York." This 
number, possibly, may be exaggerated, but adding those who 
died and were poisoned in the infected prisons within the city, a 
much larger number would be necessary to include all of those 
who suffered by command of British generals in New York. The 
scenes enacted within these prisons, almost exceed belief. We 
need not go to the dark ages for deeds of crime and terror, when 
this more modern history is before us. There were several prisons 
in the city, but the most terrible of them all was the Provost, 
(now the Hall of Records.) This was under the charge of one 
Cunningham, the like of whom, for unpitying, relentless cruelty, 
the world has never produced. He had a love for inflicting tor- 
ture ; it was his passion, his besotted appetite ; he seemed to live 
upon the agony of human beings ; their groans were his music, 
and their sufferings his pastime. He thirsted for blood, and took 
an eao-er delight in murder. He stopped the rations of the pri- 
soners, and sold them to add to the luxuries of his own table, 
whilst his victims were starving to death. They were crow^ded 
into rooms where there w^as not space to lay down, with no 
blankets to protect them from the cold, to which the unglazed 
windows exposed them, while they were suffering from fevers, 
thirst and hunger. In the summer months epidemics raged 
among them, and they were denied medicine or attendance, and 
compelled to breathe damp and putrid air. The dead bodiea 
were carried in cartfulls, cast into holes prepared for the purpose, 
and a bare covering of soil tlii-own over them. But hear what 
Cunningham himself says of his own acts. Our readers , will re- 



INTRODUCTION. XVII 

member that this man, in 1*791, committed forgery in London, 
was apprehended, tried and executed, before which event he 
made his dying speech and confession. We give an extract from 
it : ''I shudder to think of the murders I have been accessory 
to, both Tvdth and without orders from the government, espe- 
cially in New York, during, which time there were more than 
two thousand prisoners starved in the different prisons, by stop- 
ping their rations, which I sold. There were also two hundred 
and seventy-five American prisoners and obnoxious persons exe- 
cuted, out of all which number there was only about one dozen 
public executions, wliich chiefly consisted of British and Hessian 
deserters. The mode for private executions was thus conducted : 
A guard was despatched from the Provost, about half-past twelve 
at night, to the Barrack street, and the neighborhood of the up- 
per barracks, to order the people to shut their window shutters 
and put out their lights, forbidding them, at the same time, to 
presume to look out of their ^vindows and doors on pain of death, 
■ after which the unfortunate prisoners were conducted, gagged, 
just behind the upper barracks, and hung without ceremony, and 
there buried by the Black Pioneer of the Provost." And these 
murders were the common, nightly pastime of this monster. If 
utter and irremediable depra\4ty ever existed in the heart of a 
human being, it was in that of Cunningham. 

The scenes that were enacted on board the Jersey and other 
prison-ships, are almost too horrible to relate. They were one 
unrelieved succession of horrors. Oppression, tyranny that 
gloated in its power and revelled in its crimes, suffering, sickness, 
agony unutterable, and death ! Over eleven thousand victims 
coQsigned to untimely graves by the ferocity of their opj^ressors ! 
Wliere, in the history of wrong, can we find a page so black and 



XVlll INTRODUCTION. 

damned as tliis ? Within these ships were crowded all classes 
and all ages, from infancy to decrepid age, and here they lived in 
darkness, with scarcely sufficient air to breathe, and that so foul, 
a light could not burn in it ; some dead, dying, or delirious with 
fever ; prayers and blasphemies filling the air ; their bodies over 
run ^^dth vermin ; crowded up to dead and corrupted bodies ; no 
food but what was polluted and repugnant to the stomach, often 
crazed with thirst; no relief, no pity, no hope ; nothing but death 
— death in its most hornble forms — suffering and anguish ! The 
imagination cannot picture the scene in all its horrors. Some- 
times a dying ^\Tetch would creep to the guard and beg a drop 
of water to quench his raging thirst ; his answer would be a 
curse, a kick, or perhaps the thrust of a bayonet, which would 
end his agony at once.* On one occasion, while quite a large 
body of prisoners were gathered at the grate at the hatchway to 
obtain fresh air, a sentinel for mere pastime thrust his bayonet 
down among them, and twenty-five next morning were found to 
be dead. And this demoniac spirit was practised more than* 
once.f We. turn from the contemplation of this picture with 
sickening horror. Great God ! can it be possible, that deeds like 
these could have been enacted by thy creatures ? 

* At one time two young brothers were sent on board the Jersey. The 
elder took the fever and in a few days become delirious. One night, as he 
was dying, he became calm and sensible, and begged for a little water. His 
brother with tears entreated the guard to give him some, but in vain. The 
feick youth was soon in his last struggles, when his brother offered the 
guard a guinea for an inch of candle only, that he might see his brother die, 
Even this was refused. " Now," said he, drying up his tears, " if it please 
God that I ever regain my liberty, I'll be a most bitter enemy." He re- 
gained his liberty, re-joined the army, and when the waf ended, he had 
eight long and one hundred and twenty-seven small iiotches on his rifi 
stock ! — Life of Silas Talbot. 

+ History of Martyrs 



INTRODUCTION. XIX 

In examining the history of the revolution, we are struck by 
the vast difference in the physical condition of the two armies. 
On one side was luxury and ease, on the other every kind of 
privation. Our invaders had gold to command every want, while 
our own soldiers had only principle by which to fight and starve. 
When the British soldier went into the field he had comfort 
able clothing on his back and plenty of food in his stomach ; he 
was animated by martial an-ay, and inspirited by the confidence 
of victory. He had also his comfortable quarters, and he was 
rarely oppressed by onerous duties. But the American fought 
nak'^d and starving. Death was only a relief from misery, 
his prospects were dark, and when in the battle, he had nothing 
but his consc^'ousness of right to animate him. It is wonderful 
to think how the army was kept together. It is difficult to re- 
alize how even the loftiest patriotism could keep men in the 
field, where the chances of success were so small, and their sufier- 
ing so great. Nothing but their noble self-devotion, unparalelled 
in the world, kept them together. How can posterity be- 
lieve that in the battle of Eutaw Springs, as stated by Greene 
himself, that hundreds of his men were as naked as they were 
born ! Their loins were galled by the cartouch-boxes, and a 
folded rag, or tuft of grass, saved iheir shoulders fi'om the same 
injury by the musket.* What raagic was it that held men to- 
gether in such a guise ! What was ii, uut a principle of right, 
that mighty lever which no power can r'^strain. a^ d whi^h wil^ 
3ventually accomplish its triumphs ! 

Not only the men, but officers and all suffered a^ike. M^oi 



* Johnson's liife of General Greene. 



XX INTRODUCTION. 

Garden*' states that often there was but one uniform among a 
dozen officers, and that these took turn in wearing it when in- 
\ited to head-quarters. Garden gives another anecdote to show 
the privations of the officers. Dr. Fayssoux called at the hut of 
General Ruger, of the southern army, but was refused admission 
by the sentinel. The Doctor insisted upon his right to enter, 
which the sentinel denied, when the General hearing the alter 
cation, desired the sentinel to let his friend pass. " Pardon me, 
Doctor," said the General, who lay upon the ground wi-apped 
up in his military cloak, " for giving you so ungracious a recep- 
tion ; but the fact is, the chances of war have robbed me of every 
comfort, and I confine myself to solitude, and an old cloak, while 
. mv washerwoman prepares for a future occasion, the only shirt 
I own." 

The many acts of chivalrous heroism which were performed by 
those who thus suffered and forebore in our revolutionary contest, 
if the truth could be told, and they possessed that distance which 
lends enchantment to \dew, would be found to possess more real 
chivalry, than the chronicles of that age affords in which our 
fondness for the dim, uncertain events that are traced upon the 
horizon of the past, has made us stamp as peculiarly the age of 
romantic bravery. If motive constitutes an evidence whereby the 
actions of men should be judged, then assuredly the deeds of our 
forefathers, must in the impartial judgment of every age, and in 
the verdict of the future, which shall from a higher point of view, 
look and pronounce judgment on the actions of all the past that 
shall be spread out before it, and all alike be sm-rounded by the 
softening and harmonious lines of distance, be admitted to as 

* Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolution. 



INTRODUCTION. XXI 

lofty eminence, as all the lialf-fabulous wonders performed by the 
poet-sung heroes of the olden time. If by motive, our heroes 
should be judged, they would rank above many of those it is 
the pride of the world to honor. In old Greece and Rome two 
passions combined to urge men on to heroism — a love of glory 
and love of country In the middle ages it was purely a passion 

. for gloiy, a thirst for renown in prowess, that actuated and con 
trolled those mailed warriors. But with the hero of the Revolu- 
tion, an unmixed and pure patriotism ; a true, undivided, and 
earnest devotion to his country, for which he would often sacri 
fice glory itself, for which he would be content to bear the " scorns 
and whips of time," was the sole passion of his breast. Those 
who figured in the chivah-ous ages, possessed more of the " pride, 
pomp and circumstance of glorious war," than did our plain, 
simple, uncouth, and " unnamed demi-gods." They were sur- 
rounded by a glorious halo, through which men look entranced. 
A barbaric splendor accompanied all their movements, and the 
soft touches of love, and the gilded decoration of art, invest them 

♦with a softened and marvellous coloring. With flaunting ban- 
ners, caparisoned steeds, silken canopies, brilliant costumes, jewel- 
ed weapons, and nodding plumes ; with attending pages, glitter- 
mg retinues, and imposing pomp ; with a dramatic show and 
glitter of war that fired and delighted the imagination, and 
steeped men's senses in bewildering wonder, — by all such means 
they presented a gorgeous spectacle. And then again in 
their huge castles, with battlements and towers, and ramparts, 
with tapestried halls, and brilliant feasts, where beauty and song 
swayed, and controlled their impulses; in this and these, and 
in their reverence for beauty, to which alone they bent a knee 

or yielded service, do we find the romance that surrounds them, 
2 



XXll INTRODUCTION. 

and our proneness to deify tliem. Wrest them, however, of all tliis 
glitter and show, and come close where all the ruggedness of 
their characters may be examined, and we find that their chivalry 
often was degraded into brutality, and their heroism no more 
than modern annals attribute to the meanest of those who took 
up arms, not for their own selfish advancement, but for the 
glory of their country. The reader will find in the following 
pages, deeds of greater prowess, incidents of an equal romantic 
chivalry, and instances of as pure, unselfish devotion, as can be 
afforded by any history whatsoever. The deeds stand out in their 
naked simplicity, " a plain, imvarnished tale," unexaggerated by 
poet or romancer. 

Perhaps for marvellous adventure, cunning address, great for- 
titude, and cool daring, no history is so fruitful as that of our 
border warfare. The imagination of the romancer is dull, and 
his invention weak, if in such scenes he endeavor to substitute fie 
tion for truth. With these frontier warriors there was no ease, 
their energies were never allowed to repose, and their watchful- 
ness never at rest. At no hour, on no occasions, could they in- 
dulge in a feeling of safety. Their nerves were always strung to 
the farthest tension, their invention ever alive to avert danger, or 
to secure a victory. Coolness and courage must ever be at hand, 
a moment's weakness would often prove fatal. Every man was 
the cunning general, the wily tactician, the undaunted hero ! 
Stratagems over which we hang in delight, and reckless daring 
that make us pause in breathless admiration, were daily enacted. 
A-cts of heroism were so common, and heroes so many, that they 
ceased to create surprise. Not only were the men thus heroic, 
but women were inspired with a spirit equal to that which has 
immortalized the Spartan mothers, and children often manifested 



FNTRODUCTION. XXlll 

a fortitude in suffering, and courage in danger, superior to any- 
thing in history. The peculiar warfare of the frontier was of a 
Jdnd to nurse such spirits. It developed certain faculties to a 
marvellous degree. Men were continually indebted, and often 
dependant for their lives upon their acuteness of hearing and 
keenness of sight. They were also taught to be close and narrow 
observers, and to detect the presence of an enemy by signs that 
would have escaped those less skilled and practiced. Wonderful 
personal prowess, a capacity for the endurance of fatigue, an in- 
sensibility to olimate, and an indifference to hunger or exertion, 
were required and manifested by them. Their warfare required 
tactics of its own, that were to be acquired in no school but that 
of bitter experience. Every man was as necessarily compelled to 
learn the aj*t of war, and to obtain an initiation in all the myste- 
ries of forest warfare, by stern practice, as evei- the ancient knight 
warriors were forced to be instructed in all the arts of the tour- 
nament, or the " tented field." They were as much accomplished 
warriors as SuiTy or Sidney. They did not possess the graces 
and the elegancies of war as did those soldiers of song and legend, 
but they were as thoroughly accomplished in the art itself. In 
the handling of the spear and sabre, in the mastery of the rifle, 
they acquired a skill equal to that displayed of old with the bat- 
tle-axe and sword. In feats of " noble horsemanship," those wiio 
knew the art at all, were unexcelled. Putnam, who was frontier 
bred, and inured in all the mysteries of forest life, when he rode 
down the precipice at Horse-Neck, performed a feat, that had it 
been enacted by Surry, the favorite of romance, song and ballad 
would have made the world ring with it. 

But, perhaps, for romance, no part of the Revolution equals 
the partizan warfare of the South. Its history is invested with a 



XXIV INTRODUCTION. 

delightful and charming air. The many details of the contest 
possess nearly every requisite to arrest and gratify the imagination. 
It only lacked the glitter and pomp of a pageant to fascinate the 
world. The deeds performed were unfortunately enacted in home- 
spun, rather than in steel, and therefore lose some of their charm. 
They were without martial parade, but the mode of warfare, the 
strange characters gathered in the bands, the wild forest retreats, 
all combine to give them a romance of their own. It is with 
peculiar delight that the imagination follows Marion and his fol- 
lowers into their fastnesses. Their retreats were better strong- 
holds than was ever the castle of a Norman knight. They defied 
the ingenuity and the power of their enemies to expel them. To 
follow them was to plunge into a region beset with unknown 
dangers, and once involved into its secret depths, the key of 
Ariadne was needed to trace tlie puzzling labyrinth. The herald, 
or messenger from the enemy , was blindfolded, and led by in- 
tricate courses, through vast morasses, and by paths bowered by 
masses of foliage the sun never penetrated, until at last he would 
be admitted into the sequestered area where the chief and his 
men would receive him. And this area, this camping ground, 
where was organized the daring expedition, the sudden attack, 
and the cunning stratagem, from which emanated all the schemes 
tliat held at bay, and in terror the English leaders ; whence sprang 
the undying patriotism and the undaunted heroism ; where Lib- 
erty's altar was erected, and where her fires ever burned with a 
hopeful flame, and never sank nor died, when all around, gloom 
and horror and wretchedness had wept and extinguished her 
flame ; this noble, imposing area of freedom, what a grand piece 
of nature's handiwork it was ! It was a fit asylum for those true 
to nature's behests. It was her grandest cathedral, where trees, 



I NT KO DUCT I ON. XXV 

aged, and with the grey moss streaming in hoary locks from their 
venerable trunks, loomed up in their mighty strength, and locked 
their giant limbs in a huge dome, through which the stars gleamed, 
and the sun shone in a gentle hght that fell like the rays through 
the stained glass of the cathedral, softly upon the virgin m.oss of 
the far extending, and lofty aisles. And here, in the midst of 
these scenes, guarded from access by impenetrable thickets, dan- 
gerous marshes, and rugged defiles, where no enemy co-uld pene- 
trate, and which no force, however great, could destroy — here 
was the home of patriotism in the South — here, in the free air 
of heaven, sojourned the partizan, Marion. The soft bank of 
moss was his couch, and truly, the couch of Mars, and nothing 
but the domed oaks and sycamores canopied his head. No luxu- 
rious ease intruded in to the sacred precinct — sacred to the cause of 
liberty and humanity — for with a Spartan hardihood, those war- 
riors, in fair or foul, amid the severities of summer or of winter, 
clung to their foresc home, and nightly embraced the hardened 
couch, save when hurling themselves upon the ranks of the ene- 
my, or rushing forth upon the beck of victory. 

And glorious indeed were the victories achieved by that noble 
band. If the accomplishment of great ends by little means be a 
stamp of greatness, we camiot withhold from Marion the highest 
rank. It is true that he performed no single great victory, and 
his array, if it could be called an army, was but a band of a few 
hundred patriots. But with these few hundred, he kept in check 
the whole British army. He was tlie Nemesis of the South ; the 
ure and terrible avenger of wrong. The iniquities of the English 
eaders, and Tory marauders, were visited with a sudden, rapid 
and fearful punishment. Their career of bloodshed was known 
to him; and their midnight expeditions, marked by burning 



XXVI INTRODUCTION. 

dwellings, reckless murders, witli flying families before tliem, and 
desolate hearths behind — these were treasured, up, and shortly 
found a retribution. His scouts traversed every section, in many 
disguises, often assuming as many shapes as Proteus, and hung 
upon the routes of armies, and watched the actions of men. So 
keen was their cunning, so exhaustless their resources, that they 
would visit the same encampment many times, each in a different 
form ; creep into the councils of the enemy ; sometimes adroitly 
capture and carry off persons from the very midst of their armies. 
By these, Marion was always kept informed of the movements of 
his enemy, while his own were so rapid and so sudden that his 
own men were often puzzled to trace and find him. 

He usually set out upon his expeditions at about sundown. 
He would then ride rapidly thirty or forty miles, fall suddenly 
u]X)n some division of the enemy, who were reposing in false 
security ; scatter them before they could form for defence ; con- 
tinue his journey, attack and defeat another detachment twenty 
miles farther, and ere the news could spread, he would have 
disappeared into his fastnesses, where no step could follow, and his 
enemies without, would gaze in wonder about, as if a meteor had 
shot down destruction upon them, and suddenly vanished into air 

Their expeditions were beset with great difficulties, that only 
patience and hardihood could overcome. They had to swim 
rivers, penetrate tangled thickets, cross dangerous morasses, and 
undergo severe fatigues of all kinds, such as prolonged hunger, 
exhaustion from want of sleep, and often suffering from want of 
clothing sufficient to protect them from the weather. AVhen 
pursued, and many a huge army was sent to destroy him, he was 
more cunning than the fox, and still dangerous as the lion. He 
would as certainly lure his enemy into his toils, as they would 



INTRODUCTION. XXVll 

attempt to follow liira. He would fall upon their camps, cut off 
their provision, clash upon them like a thunderbolt, in advanta- 
geous places, and suddenly disappear, lead them into ambuscades 
from which they would only be extricated by fearful loss, puzzle 
1)6 wilder and send them back defeated, disgraced and utterly 
confounded. 

His brigade formed a picturesque and motely group. — Their 
costumes were formed of every imaginable kind and color, sucii 
as their own resources could provide, or their swords capture 
from their enemies. Sometimes the contrast presented by them, 
would be highly amusing. There would be the huge backwoods- 
man, with his I'ough boots and flannel shirt, mounting some 
silken or golden remnant of an English officer's regimentals, often 
times ridiculously in keejDing with his own habiliments; here 
would be seen a fortunate adventurer bedecked with conquered 
plumes and scarfs, glittering by the side of ragged, threadbare 
fustian, there a swarthy negro, with naked feet and a gold em- 
broidered coat, or perhaps with lace and ruffles, and gilded orna- 
ments, but hiding himself in shame for his nakedness. Not ordy 
the men themselves, but many of the partisan officers, were suffer 
ing from want of clothing, and compelled to adapt such articles as 
chance threw in their way. But sometimes they were bedecked 
m vesture, furnished by the hands of fair ladies, and pledged to 
defend and protect them to the last. The whig ladies of South 
Carolina, were as high-souled and chivalrous a body of the se> 
as ever knight broke lance for. During the whole war, they ex 
erted themselves for the welfare of their defenders, and often bj 
their sacrifices, or their cunning, or their patriotism, was some 
signal serxnce done to the state. They particularly exerted them- 
selves to the procuring of necessaries for the partizan warriors. 



XYVlll INTRODUCTION. 

Many of those wlio resided in Charleston, by their ing-ennity, 
supplied their friends from the abundance of the British garrison. 
Notwithstanding all those who passed out into the country, wei-e 
examined, to prevent smuggling, their resources provided ways to 
elude the vigilance of the guards, and to carry off articles with 
impunity. Says Garden,* who served in the South, " The cloth 
of many a military coat, concealed with art, and not unfrequently 
made an appendage to female attire, has escaped the vigilance of 
the guai-ds, expressly stationed to prevent smuggling, and speedily 
converted into regimental shape, worn triumphantly in battle. 
Boots have, in many instances, been relinquishad by the delicate 
wearer to the active partisan. I have seen a hoi-seman's helmet 
concealed by a well arranged head-dress, and epaulettes delivered 
from the folds of the simple cap of a matron. Feathers and cock- 
ades were much in demand, and so cunningly hid, and hand- 
somely presented, that he conld have been no true knight, who 
did not feel the obligation, to defend them to the last extremity.*' 
The privations of these devoted bands were manifold. They 
were often dependant for food entirely upon the uncertain re- 
sources of the forest. They were always without salt, except 
when captured from the enemy, and even then this necessary 
condiment was disti-ibuted among destitute whig families, rather 
than preserved for themselves, although the want of it was a seri- 
ous grievance, and made their ill-cooked meals, barely palatable. 
We are all familiar with the anecdote of the British officer, who 
upon visiting Marion's encampment, was invited to dine, and who, 
after a surprised survey of the forest for any signs of dinner, was 
shown a few roasted potatoes, on a shingle, wdiich had just been 



* Major Garden's Revolutionary Anecdotes. 



INTRODUCTION. XXIX 

drawn hot from the ashes, and were to be eaten without salt, or 
any accompaniment. But, even on this occasion, they were 
uncommonly fortunate ; they were often without any food what- 
ever. But with men resolved in their course, confident in the 
justice of their cause, and united by the holy instincts of patriot 
ism, no physical suflfering could divert them from their purposes 
or dampen their spirit. 

In these various phases of our great National contest exist the 
romance which the editor of this volume has endeavored to 
glean and present to the American public. There can scarcely 
be found a period in any history, so replete with variety of interest 
as is presented by this era. In the border struggles on the fron- 
tier, and the wild partisan warfare of the south, in the regular 
army, in the prisons, wherever the contest was an active one, we 
find romance on every page of its history, romance that's wild 
and entrancing. It is strange that this fact is so rarely accredited, 
and that our history is accounted dull and prosy, with all the rich 
materials which it affords for exciting and gratifjnng the imagina- 
tion. But our poets have passed over it, with the dogged belief 
that romance only existed in armor and a breast-plate. Not so 
thought the English poet Campbell, who gathered golden fruit 
where our native romancer would not deign to stoop. Assuredly 
there are other passages in our history as capable of being immor- 
talized in song as the touching story of Wyoming. Let the 
pages of this volume bear witness of it. There are many inci- 
dents here related, that should go doAvn to fame on the buoyant 
tide of poetry, but which in prose can scarcely be preserved. It 
is the minstrel and the poet, more than the historian, who have 
immortalized the heroes of the past. Achilles and Hector be- 
came immortal, only through the pen of Homer. The poet then 



XXX INTRODUCTION. 

owes this much to his country, that he should seek to enihahn the 
fuine of her heroes for posterity to admire and emulate. Brave 
and heroic deeds have thrice their force as examples, more readily 
fire the heart with generous and noble emulation, when wi-itten 
in the glowing imagery of the poet, than when simply coming to 
us in the cold chronicles of the historian. Let our poets, who 
would be great, remember this, and say not, when that which 
follows in this volume is before them, that there is no material or 
incident wherewithal to wi-ite. 

The editor believes that he has gathered a collection of sketches 
which will be acceptable to the American public. Assuredly, a 
history of the exploits, heroism and sufferings of our forefathers 
can scarcely be aught else but acceptable, to those who are now 
reaping the golden fi-uits of their achievements. He believes that 
none can peruse them without a more vivid conception of the era 
of which they treat, and a sincere pleasure in the romantic 
interest, which is proven to have been wove around the deeds and 
lives of our ancestors. 



ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION- 

STORIES 

AND 

ANECDOTES OF WASHINGTON. 

On a day in the early part of tlie revolution, just after the 6un 
had passed its meridian, an American officer could have been seen 
slowly wending his way along one of the unfrequented roads that 
wound their way up among the mountains, in the vicinity of 
West Point ; where was then stationed the American army. The 
officer was unaccompanied, and as the horse, with slow and 
measured tread moved along the road, with the slackened rein 
hanging loose upon his neck, his rider seemed buried in a deep 
reverie. The scene around was one of peculiar beauty, the far 
mountains heaped up, one above another, against the horizon, and 
at his feet the Hudson sweeping on with a sweet and placid look. 
But the thoughts of the traveller were turned inward, and his 
eyes heeded not the pageant before them, but seemed rather to 
be reading the dark and obscure future, or trying to penetrate 
into the mysteries which surrounded the present. His thoughts, 
however, were apparently not disturbed, but only solemn and deep. 
It would have been impossible for any one to have looked upon 



32 STORIES AND ANECDOTES 

bis calm, tliouglitfiil brow, the majestic, but benevolent expression 
of his countenance, the firm contour though sweet expression of 
hih lips, the mild, penetrating glance of his eye, and the noble 
proportions of his frame, without detecting the presence of the 
great Washington. Presently he drew up before a mansion on 
the road, dismounted, and approached the house. Almost imme- 
diately a door was thrown open, and an aged gentleman, in a 
civilian's dress, rushed forth and greeted the comer with many, 
seemingly, earnest protestatious of welcome. 

The family in wdiich Washington, on this occasion, was received, 
was one he had frequently been in the habit of visiting. During 
the stay of the army at West Point, he frequently dined \vith its 
members, and with its head he had at first reposed confidence 
and friendship. But many suspicions of his honesty were whis- 
pered about, and in some quarters he was openly accused of 
treachery to the American cause. To these suspicions Washing- 
ton would not heed, but having been invited to dine with him on 
a certain day and at a certain hour, and tliis invitation being 
pressed Avith so much over-earnestness, and accompanied with an 
insinuation, that his appearance with a guard was an indication 
of his want of confidence in his friend's fidelity, and urged to give 
a proof of his unchanged belief in his honesty, by coming unat- 
tended to partake with him a private dinner, Washington's 
suspicions at last became aroused, and he resolved, by accepting 
the invitation, to prove at once the truth or falsehood of the sus- 
picions entertained against him. It was to fulfil this engagement 
that Washington, on the occasion we have described, proceeded 
to the residen?e of his suspected friend. 

The time appointed for the dinner was two o'clock, but it was 
not l^ter than one when Washino-ton dismounted at the door of 



OF WASHINGTON. 33 

his host. He had an especial object in this early arrrival. The 
host proposed to occupy the interim before dinner, by a walk on 
the piazza. Here conversation occupied the time, and it soon 
became apparent to the chief that his host's manner was exceed- 
ingly nervous and excitable. Without revealing this knowledge, 
Washington continued the discourse, and, while he carefully 
avoided betraying his suspicions, he skillfully led the conversa- 
tions to such subjects, that would be most likely to cause his 
companion to betray his agitation. So poor an actor was he, and 
so often was his conscience probed by the apparently innocent 
remarks of the commander-in-chief, that his nervousness of man- 
ner became so marked as to give the greatest pain to Washington, 
at this proof of the infidelity of one on whom he had once reposed 
unhmited confidence. The American commander in commenting 
upon the different beauties of the landscape that surrounded them, 
pointed out the spot where lay the encampment of the enemy, 
at the same time remarking upon the extraordinary lack of prin- 
ciple that could induce men of American birth to forego the 
interests of their country, and every consideration of holy patriot- 
ism, to enrol themselves among their country's invaders for no 
other temptation than a little glittermg gold. Before the pene- 
trating look which Washington fixed upon him while making 
these remarks, the guilty traitor quailed, but at this juncture, he 
was relieved by the sound of approaching horses, and as both 
guest and host turned to the direction whence the sound pro- 
ceeded, a company of dragoons in British uniforms appeared upon 
the brow of the hill, and galloping rapidly along the road towards 
the house. 

" Bless me, sir !" exclaimed Washington ; " what cavalry are 
these approaching the house ?" 



34 



STORIES AND ANECDOTES 



" A party of British light horse," rejoined his trembling host, 
" who mean no harm, but are merely sent for my protection !" 

" British horse sent here while I am yom* guest !" said Wash- 
ington with startling sternness, as he turned upon his guest with 
an air of command that awed, and caused to quail, the little soui 
of the betrayer before the mighty spirit that he had aroused. 
""What does this mean, sir?" continued Washington, as a terribl 
look gathered upon his brow. 

By this time the troops had arrived, and they were seen dis- 
mounting from their horses. This gave courage to the trembling 
traitor. 

" General," said he approaching his guest, " General, you are 
my prisoner." 

" I believe not," replied Washington, his manner having re- 
gained its former calmness, " but, sir, I know that you are miiie ! 
Officer arrest this traitor !" 

In bewildering consternation the treacherous hypocrite looked 
from Washington to the men ; the one an American officer, and 
the others seemingly British soldiers. But the puzzle was soon 
solved. Washington had ordered a company of Americans to 
disguise themselves as British cavalry, and to arrive at the man- 
sion designated, at a quarter before two, by which means he 
would be enabled to discover the innocence or guilt of the sus- 
pected person. The issue proved his suspicions were well founded, 
and the mode he adopted for detecting the plot admirably dis- 
played his great sagacity. The false friend was handed over to 
the keeping of the soldiers, and conducted to the American camp 
as a prisoner. He afterwards, confessed, that he had been offered 
a large sum to betray Washington into the hands of the English , 
and at the hour of two, a party of British horse would have sur- 



OF WASHINGTON. 35 

rounded tlie house, and captured tlie American cliief. At first, 
Washington meditated making- a severe example of the man, but he 
yielded to the earnest solicitations of his family, and pardoned him 

The incident which we next give, relative to Washington, was 
jcommunicated tpan old-periodical, from which we copy it. 

One pleasant evening in the month of June, during the early 
pait of the war, a man was observed entering the borders of a 
wood, near the Hudson river, his appeai-ance that of a person 
above the common rank. The inhabitants of a country village 
would have dignified him with the title of 'squire, and, from his 
manner, would have pronounced him proud ; but those more 
accustomed to society, would inform you there was something 
like a military air about him. His horse panted as if it had been 
hard pushed for some miles, yet from the owners frequent stops 
to caress the patient animal, he could not be charged with want 
of humanity ; but seemed to be actuated by some urgent neces- 
sity. The rider forsaking a good road for a by-path leading 
through the woods, indicated a desire to avoid the gaze of othei 
travelers. He had not left the house where he enquired the 
direction of the above mentioned road, more than two hours^ 
before the quietude of the place was broken by the noise of dis- 
tant thunder. He was soon after obliged to dismount, traveling 
becoming dangerous, as darkness concealed surrounding objects, 
except when the lightning's flash afforded him a momentary view 
of his situation. A peal louder and of longer duration than any 
of the preceding which now burst over his head, seeming as if 
it would rend the w^oods asunder, was quickly followed by a heavy 
fall of rain, which penetrated the clothing of the stranger ere he 
could obtain the shelter of a large oak, which stood at a little 
distance. 



36 STORIES AND ANKCDOTICS 

Almost exhausted with the labors of the clay, he was about 
making such disposition of the saddle and his over coat, as would 
enable him to pass the night with what comfort circumstances 
would admit, when he espied a light glimmering through the 
trees. Animated with the hope of better lodgings, he determined 
to proceed. The way, which was sometimes steep, became at- 
tended with some obstacles the farther he advanced ; the soil 
being composed of clay, which the rain had rendered so soft that 
his feet slipped at every step. By the utmost perseverance, this 
difficulty was finally overcome without any accident, and he had 
the pleasure of finding himself in front of a decent looking farm- 
house. The watch-dog began barking, which brought the owner 
of the mansion to the door. 

" Who is there ?" said he. 

" A friend who has lost his way, and in search of a place of 
shelter," was the answer. 

" Come in sir," added the speaker, " and Avhatever my house 
will afibrd, you shall have with welcome." 

" I must provide for the weary companion of my journey," 
remarked the other. 

But the farmer undertook the task, and after conducting the 
new-comer into a room where his wife was seated, he led the horse 
to a well stored barn, and there provided for him most bounti- 
fully. On rejoining the traveller, he observed, " That is a noble 
animal of yours, sir." 

" Yes," was the reply, " and I am sorry that I am obliged to 
misuse him so as to make it necessary to give you so much trouble 
with the care of him ; but I have yet to thank you for your kind- 
ness to us both." 

" I do no more than my duty, sir," said the entertainer, " and 



OF WASHINGTON. 37 

therefore, am entitled to no thanks." "But Susan," added he 
turning to the hostess with a reproachful look. " why have you 
not given the gentleman something to eat ?" 

Fear had prevented the good woman from exercising her well- 
known benevolence ; for a robbery had been committed by a law- 
less band of depredators recently in that neighborhood, and as 
report stated that the ruffians were all well dressed, her imagina- 
tion suggested that this might be one of them. 

At her husband's remonstrance, she now readily engaged in 
repairing her error, by preparing a bountiful repast. During the 
meal, there was much interesting conversation among the three 
As soon as the worthy countr}Tnan perceived that his guest had 
satisfied his appetite, he informed him that it w^as now the hour 
at which the family usually performed their devotions, mvitmg 
him at the same time to be present. The invitation was accepted 
in these words : — 

"It would afford me the greatest pleasure to commune with 
my heavenly Preserver, after the events of the day ; such exer- 
cises prepare us for the repose which we seek in sleep." 

After the devotions the host lighted a pine-knot and conducted 
the person he had entertained, to his chamber, wished him a 
good night, and retired to the adjoining apartment. 

" John," whispered the woman, " that is a good gentleman, and 
not one of the highwaymen as I supposed." 

" Yes, Susan," said he, " I like him better for thinking of his 
God, than all his kind inquiries after our welfare. I wish our 
Peter had been home from the army, if it was only to hear this 
good man talk ; I am sure Washington himself could not say 
more for his country, nor give a better history of the hardships 
endured by our brave soldiers." 



33 STORIES AND ANECDOTES 

" Wlio "knows, now," inquired the wife, " but it may be himselj 
after all, my dear ; for they do say he travels just so, all alone, 
sometimes. Hark ! What's that ?" 

The sound of a voice came from the chamber of their guest, 
who w^as now engaged in private religious worship. After thank- 
ing the Creator for his many mercies, and asking a blessing on 
the inhabitants of the house, h© continued, " And now. Almighty 
Father, if it be thy holy will, that we shall attain a name and a 
place among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be en- 
abled to show our gratitude for thy goodness, by our endeavors 
to fear and obey thee. Bless us with wisdom in our councils, 
success in battle, and let om* victories be tempered with humanity. 
Endow, also our enemies with enlightened minds, that they may 
become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore liberty 
and peace. Grant the petition of thy servant, for the sake of him 
thou hast called thy beloved Son ; nevertheless, not my will, but 
thine be done. Amen." 

The next morning the traveler, declining the pressing solicita- 
tions to breakftist ^ith his host, declared it was necessary for him 
to cross the river immediately ; at the same time offering part of his 
purse as a compensation for what he had received, which was refused. 

" Well, sir," continued he, " since you will not permit me to 
recompence you for your trouble, it is but just that I should inform 
you, on whom you have conferred so many obligations, and also 
add to them by requesting your assistance to cross the river. T 
had been out yesterday, endeavoring to obtain some information 
respecting our enemy, and. being alone, ventured too far from the 
camp. On my return, I Avas surprised by a foraging party, and 
only escaped by my knowledge of the woods, and the fleetness 
of mj horse. My name is George Washington." 



'i 



OF WASHINGTON. 39 

Surprise kept tlie listner silent for a moment ; then, after im- 
Rucnessfullv repeating the invitation to partake of some refresh- 
ment, He Hastened to call two negroes, with whose assistance he 
placed the horse on a small raft of timber that was lying on the 
fiver, near the door, and soon conveyed the general to the oppo- 
site side of the river, where he left him to pursue his way to the 
camp, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey. On his return 
to the house, he found that while he was engaged in making 
preparations for conveying the horse across the river, his illus 
trious visitor had persuaded his wife to accept a token of remem 
i^rance, which the descendants of the worthy couple are proud of 
exhibiting to this day. 

" In the summer of 1776, when the American army was in New 
^^rV^ a young girl of the city went to her lover, one Francis, 
^^KA. communicated to him, as a secret she had overheard, a plan 
that was in operation among the government men to destroy the 
American commander-in-chief, by poison, which was to be plenti- 
lully mingled with his green-peas, a favorite vegetable of his, on 
the following day at Richmond Hill head quarters, where he was 
to dine. Francis, who was a thorough whig, although supposed 
to be friendly to the royalists, went immediately to Washington 
and acquainted him with this diabohcal plan for his destruction. 
Washington ha\nng listened with attention, said : 

" My friend, I thank you ; your fidelity has saved my life, to 
what reserve the Almighty knows ! But now for your safety ; I 
charge you to return to your house, and let not a word of what you 
have related to me pass your lips ; it would involve you in certain 
ruin ; and heaven forbid that your life should be forfeited or endan 
gered by your faith to me. I will take the necessary steps to prevent, 
and, at the same time, discover the instrument of this wicked device." 



40 STORIES AND ANECDOTES 

" The next day, about two hours before dinner, he sent for one 
of his guard, told him of the plot, and requested that he would 
disguise himself as a female, and go to the kitchen, there to keep 
a strict watch upon the peas, until they should be served up for 
the table. The young man, carefully, observed the directions he 
had received, and had not been long upon his post of duty, before 
a young man, another of the guard, came anxiously to the door 
of the kitchen, looked in, and then passed away. In a few mo- 
ments after, he returned and approached the hearth where the 
peas stood, and was about to mingle in the deadly substance, 
when, suddenly, he shrunk back as though from the sting of the 
fork-tongued adder, his color changing to the pale hue of death, 
and his limbs apparently palsied with fear, evidently horror struck 
with his own purpose — but soon, however, the operation of a 
more powerful incitement urged forward his reluctant hand that 
tremblingly strewed the odious bane, and he left the kitchen, 
oyerwhelmed with conflicting passions, remorse and confusion. 

'■ ' Harold sleeps no more, the cry has reached his heart ere 
the deed be accomplished,' said the youth on duty, in a voice not 
devoid of pity, as he looked after the self-condemned wretch. 

" ' What Harold !" said the commander-in-chief, sorrowfully, 
upon receiving the information ; ' can it be possible — so young, 
so fair, and gentle ! He would have been the last person upon 
whom a suspicion of that nature could have fallen, by right of 
countenance. You have done well,' said he to the youth before 
him. ' Go join your comrades and be secret.' " 

"The young man. went accordingly, and Washington returned 
to the piazza, where several officers were assembled, among whom 
was the hero of Saratoga, who was waiting for further instruc- 
tions from Congress before he departed for Canada. In a few 



OF WASHINGTON. 41 

moments dinner was announced, and the party was ushered into 
a handsome aj^artment, where the sumptuous board was spread, 
covered with all the delicacies of the season. 

" The commander-in-chief took his seat, placing General Gates 
on his right hand, and Genei-al Wooster on the left. "When the 
remainder of the officers and company were seated, and eager to 
commence tlie duties of tlie table, the chief said, impressively: 

"'Gentlemen, I must request you to suspend your meal f^r a 
few moments. Let the guard attend me." 

"Ail was silence and amazement. The guard entered and 
formed in a line towards the upper end of the apartment. 

" Washington.^ having put upon his plate a spoonful of peas, 
fixed his eyes sternly upon the guilty man, and said : 

« ' Shall I eat of this vegetable V 

"The youth turned pale and became dreadfully agitated, while 
his trembling lips faintly uttered, 

"'I don't know.' 

" ' Shall I eat of these V again demanded Washington, raising 
some upon his knife. 

" Here Harold elevated his hand, as if by an involuntary im- 
pulse, to prevent their being tasted. A chicken was then brought 
in, that a conclusive experiment might be made in the presence of 
all those witnesses. The animal ate of the peas and immediately 
died, and the Avretched criminal, overcome with terror and re- 
morse, fell fainting, and was borne from the apartment." 

The \'ictories of Trenton and Princeton were the turning point 
n our revolutionary war At that time our cause looked dark 
ndeed, and defeat in those attempts would have utterly annihi- 
lated the last hopes of the Americans. At the battle of Princeton, 
mdependent of the enemy's force in front, Cornwallis had eight 



42 STORIES AND ANECDOTES 

thousand ready to close on tlie rear ; and in case of defeat, tliere 
would have been no barrier to prevent them from spreading over 
and occupying every inch of the country. Washington felt the 
importance of the stake at icsue, and his heroic devotion on that 
bloody but glorious field, is well known. The following touch- 
ing reminiscence of that ever memorable event, is from the late 
Col. Fitzgerald, who was aid to the chief, and who never related 
the story of his General's danger, and almost miraculous preser- 
vation, without adding to his tale the homage of a tear. 

" The aid-de-caisp had been ordered to bring up the troops 
from the rear of the column, when the band, under General 
Mercer, became engaged. Upon returning to the spot where he 
had left the Commander-in-chief, he was no longer there, and 
upon looking around, the aid discovered him endeavoring to rally 
the line which had been thrown into disorder by a rapid onset of 
the foe. Washington, after several ineffectual attempts to restore 
the fortunes of the fight, is seen to rein up his steed, with his 
head to the enemy, and, in that position, to become immovable. 
It was a last appeal to his soldiers, and seemed to say, will you 
give up your General to the foe ? Such an appeal was not made 
in vain. The discomfitted Americans rally on the instant, and 
form into line ; the enemy halt, and dress their line ; the Ameri- 
can chief is between the adverse parties, as though he had been 
placed there a target for both. The arms of both hues are leveled. 
Can escape from death be possible ? Fitzgerald, horror-struck at 
the danger of his beloved commander, dropped the reins upon 
his horse's neck, and drew his hat over his face, that he might 
not see him die. A roar of musketry succeeds, and then a shout. 
It was the shout of victory. The aid-de-camp ventures to raise 
his eyes, and oh ! glorious sight, the enemy are broken and flying. 



OF WASHINGTON. 43 

» 

while dimly amid the glimpses of the smoke, is seen the chief, 
' alive, unharmed, without a wound,' waving his hat, and cheering 
his comrades to the pursuit. Col. Fitzgerald now^ dashed to the 
side of his chief, exclaiming, ' Thank God ! your excellency is safe,' 
while the favorite aid, a gallant and warm-hearted son of Erin, a 
man of thews and sinews, and ' albeit unused to the melting 
mood,' gave loose to his feelings, and wept like a child for joy 
Washington, ever calm amid scenes of the greatest excitement, 
atfectionately grasped the hand of his aid and friend, and then 
ordered, ' Away, my dear colonel, and bring up the troops, the 
day is omjOMB^- — " ''~" — 

The aim of the traitor Ai-nold was not confined to the sur- 
render of West Point alone. He had projected the betrayal, into 
the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, of Washington himself, Lafayette, 
and of the principal staff officers. A trifling circumstance caused 
its failure. Arnold had invited Washington to dine with him, 
the very morning the plot w^as discovered, and Washington was 
only prevented from being present, by the urgent request made 
to him by an old officer, near to whose station he passed, that he 
would remain the night with him ; and next morning inspect 
some w^orks in the neighborhood. Washington, accordingly, dis- 
patched an aid from his suite to make his excuses to Arnold. 
The messenger arrived at West Point the next morning, and 
breakfasted with Arnold. During the repast a letter was received, 
the superscription of wdiich no sooner met the eyes of Arnold, 
than he hurried from the table ; and, in a few minutes afterwards, 
was on his way to New York. This letter contained information 
of the arrest of Andre. In the meantime, Washington, with his 
stafl^ w^as seated at the table of the officer whose invitation had 
delayed the visit to West Point, when a despatch was brought to 



44 STORIES AND ANECDOTES 

the chief which he opened, read, and laid down without c:mi- 
nient. ISTo alteration was visible in his countenance, hut he re- 
mained perfectly silent. After some minutes, he beckoned to 
Lafayette, arose from the ^able, and followed by the young 
Frenchman, proceeded to an inner apartment, w^here he placed 
the fatal despatch, which revealed the perfidy of Arnold in his 
hands, and, then giving way to an uncontrolable burst of feeling — 
fell on his friend's neck and wept aloud. " I believe," said La- 
fayette, " this was the only occasion throughout that long and 
sometimes hoj)eless struggle, that Washington ever gave way, 
even for a moment, under a reverse of fortune ; and, perhaps, I 
was the only human being who ever witnessed in him an exhibi- 
tion of feeling so foreign to his temperament. As it was, he 
recovered himself, before I had perused the communication that 
gave rise to his emotion ; and when we returned to his staff, not 
a trace remained on his countenance either of grief or despon- 
dency." So true it is, that of all human reverses, the betrayal of 
confidence on the part of one who has been implicitly trusted, is, 
"^tcTa generous nature, the hardest and bitterest to bear.* 

, Of the coolness of Washington numerous instances are giveii^- 
Afone time while standing with his aids in a situation where he 
was exposed to the musketry and cannons of the whole British 
line, Col. Cobb said to him, " Sir, you are too much exposed here. 
Had you not better step a little back ?" " Colonel Cobb," replied 
he, " if you are afraid, you have liberty to move back." 
/" At the battle of Monmouth, while Washington was personally 
ngaged in forming the line of the main body, a cannon ball 



^ * Robert Dale Owen. The abovei anecdote which does not appear in any 
history, was related by Lafayette himself to Mr. Owen, while on a visit to 
Paris, and recounted by him in a speech de.ivered in Indiana, in 1840. 



OF WASHINGTON 45 

/ 

/from tlie' enemy struck at his horses feet, throwing the dirt in his 
face, and over his clothes. The general continued giv^ng his 
orders, without noticing the derangement of his toilet. 

On another occasion, while Mr. Evans, one of the chaplains of 
the a)'my, was standing near the general, a shot struck the ground 
so near as to cover his hat with sand. Somewhat agitated, he took 
off his hat anl said, "see here Geneial." "Mr. Evans," rejoined 
Washington with his usual composure, " you had better carry 
that home, and show it to your wife and children." _----- 
-"^ajor Ferguson, who commanded one of the enemy's rifle 
corps, thus describes an incident, in a letter to a friend, which oc- 
curred just previous to the battle of Brandy wine. " We had not 
lain long, when a rebel officer, remarkable by a hussar dress, 
pressed toward our army, within a hundred yards' of my right 
flank, not percei\dng us. 'He was followed by another, dressed in 
dark green and blue, mounted on a bay horse, with a remarkable 
high cocked hat. I ordered three good shots to steal near, and 
fire at them ; but the idea disgusting me, I recalled the order. 
The hussar, in returning, made a circuit, but he passed ^vithiu 
a hundred yards of us ; upon which I advanced from the woods 
towards him. Upon my calling, he stopped ; but, af+er looking 
at me, proceeded. I again drew his attention, and made signs to 
him to stop, leveUing my piece at him ; but he slowly cantered 
away. By quick firing, I could have lodged half a dozen of balls 
m or about him, before he was out of my reach. I had only to 
determine ; but it was not pleasant to fire at the back of an unof- 
fending indi\idual, who was very cooly acquitting himself of his 
duty ; so I let it alone. 

" The next day, the surgeon toLi me that the wounded rebel 
officers informed him that General Waslnngton was all the 



46 ADVENTURES 

morning with, tlie light troops, aiid only attended by a French 
officer in the hussar dress, he himself dressed and mounted as 1 
have before described. I am not sorry that I did not know who 
it was at the time." 



ADVENTURES' OF MARION. 

There are but few characters in the history of the war of the 
revolution, that can be looked upon with more unqualified respect 
and admiration, than that of Francis Marion. It is impossible to 
point out a weakness or failing in his public acts ; no emergen- 
cies were too great for his resources, and no temptations or sufter- 
ing too much for his integrity. His patriotism never waned low, 
and his devotion to his country was never crossed by one selfish 
consideration. His career, however, does not simply appeal to 
our judgment, nor only enlist our commendation ; it is invested 
with a romance peculiarly delightful to the imagination. We are 
charmed by the details of his camp, and follow his enterprises 
with all the entrancing interest we would feel for the exploits of 
a favorite character in fiction. But unfortunately, sometimes, 
when our interest is most excited, the details are most meagre ; 
often when we would hang over the glowing page with pleasure, 
the record fails and our imagination alone can fill up the sketch. 
It is a source of regret, which time will rather enhance than re- 
move, that history is so dry and unsatisfactory in reference to 
Marion. Of all the American leaders, the career of Marion would 
have afitorded the most romantic aud thrilling interest. Able 
biogi-aphers, however, have, of late years, gathered together all the 
knowledge of Marion which their iudustry could effect, which^ 



OF MARION. 



4.7 



while we regret it is no more than it is, is sufficiently full to enable 
u|to,.^pipnimiiifiJlis_cha]^ 

In the gallant and heroic defence of Fort Moultrie, he took an 
/■""lEonorable part, and the last gun fired on that day, was directed 
Vhyhjair^, In the surrender of Charleston, he was saved from cap- 



/" tivity by an accident which occured to him during the seige. He 
/ was dining with some friends, when the host, after the manner 
I of the mistaken hospitality of the time, locked the door upon his 

\ guests until they should be gorged with wine. Marion, who was 
a man of abstemious habits, and not willing to offend his host by 
raising a disturbance with his half-tipsy companions, cooly threw 

(j up the window and flung himself to the street below. The room 

I was on the second story, the height considerable, and the result 
was a broken ankle. This severe injury totally unfitted him for 

I action, and he was removed from the city in accordance with the 

Woi^ii^ for the departure of our officers unfit for duty. 
/ After the surrender of Charleston, the county adjoining was 
overrun by British troops, whjle there was no one to head a resis- 
tance against them. IMoultrie and others were prisoners of war, 

^wETIe Sumpter, Gov. Rutledge, and Horry flew to the north in 
order ter'^stimulate the energies of the people in that quarter, and 

v^^aiu reci-uits. 

" Marion, meanwhile, incapable of present flight, was compelled 

/to take refuge in the swamp and forest.' He was too conspicuous 
a person, had made too great a figure in previous campaigns, and 
his military talents were too well known and too highly esteemed, 
not to render him an object of some anxiety as well to friends as 
oes. Still suffering from the hurts received in Charleston, with 
Dloody and malignant enemies all around him, hfs safety depended 
im his secrecy and obscurity alone. Foilmmtelyhe had " won 



48 ADVENTURES 

golden opinions from all sorts of people." He liad friends among 
all classes, who did not permit themselves to sleep while he was 
in danger. Their activity supplied the loss of his ov/n. They 
watched while he slept. They assisted his feebleness. In the 
moment of alarm, he was sped from house to house, from tree to 
thicket, from the thicket to the swamp. His "hair-breadth 
'scapes" under these frequent exigencies, were no doubt among 
the most interesting adventures of his life, furnishing rare mate- 
rial, could they be procured, for the poet and romancer. Unhap- 
pily, while the chronicles show the frequent emergency which 
attended his painful condition, they furnish nothing more. We 
are without details. The melancholy baldness and coldness with 
which they narrate events upon which one would like to linger, are 
absolutely humbling to the imagination ; which, kindled by the 
simple historical outline, looks in vain for the satisfaction of those 
doubts and inquiries, those hopes and fears, which the provoking 
narrative inspires only to defraud. How would some old inquisi- 
tive Fro^''-sart have dragged, by frequent inquiry from contempo- 
raneous lips, the particular fact, the whole adventure, step by 
step, itrm by item, — the close pursuit, the narrow escape,, — and 
all the long train of little, but efficient circumstances, by which 
the story would have been made unique, with all its rich and nu- 
merous details ! These, the reader must supply from his own 
resources of imagination. He must conjecture for himself the 
casual warning brought to the silent thicket, by the devoted 
friend, the constant woman, or the humble slave ; the midnight 
bay of the watch-dog or the whistle of the scout ; or the sudden 
shot, from friend or foe, by which the fugitive is counselled to 
hurry to his den. A thousand events arise to the imagination as 
likely to have occurj-ed to our partisan, in his hour of feeblnness 



OF MARION. 49 

and clanger, from the rapid cavalry of Tarleton, or tbe close and 

keen pursuit of the revengeful Tories. To what slight circum 

stances has he been indebted for his frequent escape ! What 

humble agents have been commissioned by Providence to save a 

life, that was destined to be so precious to his country's liberties!" 

/ After the restoratioh"of his health, Marion formed his celebra 

/ ted brigade. Then commenced that species of partisan warfare 

i which the English in vain endeavored to crush, and which kep 

alive the spirit of patriotism in the South. His name became 

the tenor of the British and Tories^ His ffiode of warfare has 

""beeu^described in an earlier paiToi thiscrStoii ; our present sketch 

is merelyto--pi:esent some personal anecdote and adventure. 

Marion, who was of diminutive stature, and his person uncom- 
monly light, placed little dependence on his personal prowess. / It 
is related of him that, on one occasion, when he went to draw his 
sword, he could not because of the rust. Certainly a rich inci- 
dent in the life of one whose career was so active, but it proves to 
us that his successes were obtained by the strong power of intel- 
lect, and that he ruled his rough, undisciplined men, many of 
-jschom were giants in strength, and^ confirmed in obstinacy, by the 
Tlmefe exei-eise of moral force. j^He always rode a high-spirited 
horse, one of the most powerful chargers the south could produce. 
When pursuing nothing could escape, and when retreating, noth- 
ing could overtake him. 
— ""Being once nearly surrounded by a party of British dragoons, 
he was compelled, for safety, to pass into a corn-field, by leaping 
the fence. This field, marked with a considerable descent of sur 
face, had been in fact, a marsh. Marion entered it at the uppe? 
side. The dragoons in chase leapt the fence also, and were but 
a short distance behind him. So completely was he now in their 



50 ADVENTURES 

power, that his only mode of escape, wa« to pnss over the fence 
at the lower side. But here lay a difficulty, which, to all but 
himself, appeared insurmountable. To drain the ground of its 
superfluous watei's, a trench had been cut around this part of the 
field, four feet wide, and of the same depth. Of the mud and 
clay, removed in cutting it, a bank had been formed, on its inner 
side, and on top of this, Avas erected a fence. The elevation of 
the whole amounted to more than seven feet, a ditch four feet in 
width, running parallel with it, on the outside, and a foot or more 
of space intervening between tbe fence and the ditch. The dra- 
goons, acquainted with the nature and extent of this obstacle, 
and considering it impossible for their enemy to pass it, pressed 
towards him, with shouts of exultation and insult, and summoned 
him to surrender, or perish by the sword. Regardless oi their 
clamor, Marion spurred his horse to the charge. The noble ani- 
mal, as if conscious that his master's life was in danger, and that 
on his exertion depended its safety, approached the barrier in his 
finest style, and with a bound that was almost supernatural, com- 
pletely cleared the fence and ditch, and recovered himself without 
injury, on the other side. Marion, immediately, faced his pursuers, 
discharged his pistols at them, but without effect, and then bid- 
ding them ' good morning,' he dashed into an adjoining thicket, 
leaving the dragoons astonished at what they had seen, and 
almost doubting if their foe was mortal." 

The'loirowing incident admirably illustrates Marion's great hu- 
manity. He was dining at the hospitable table of Mrs. Moultrie, 
when it was whispered in his ears, that some of Col. Lee's men 
were engaged in executing certain tory prisoners. Marion hur- 
ried from the table, and seizing his sword, I'ushed with all haste 
to the gallows, but reached it in time to save only one poor 




'■'LLfe^'-V 



OF MARION. 51 

wretch. Two were already dead. With his drawn swoid, and his 
face flushed with indignation, Marion threatened to kill the first 
man that made any attempt to continue their infamous proceed- 
ings. Rebuked by his words, and overawed by his manner, the 
men desisted and seperated. 

We alluded to Marion's exercise of command by moral force. 
The following incident, admirably illustrates the means by which 
he enforced discipline and obedience, and also displays his equal 
powers of firmness and forbearance. 

" He had placed one of his detachments at the plantation of a 
Mr. George Crofts, on Sampit Creek. This person had proved 
invariably true to the American cause ; had supplied the partisans 
secretly with munitions of war, with cattle and pro^dsions. He 
was an invalid, however, suffering from a mortal infirmity, which 
compelled his removal for medical attendance to Georgetown, 
then in possession of the enemy. During the absence of the 
family, Marion placed a sergeant in the dwelling-house, for its 
protection. From this place, the guard was expelled by two offi- 
cers of the brigade, and the house stripped of its contents. The 
facts were first disclosed to Marion by Col. P. Horry, Avho received 
them from the wife of Crofts. This lady pointed to the sword of 
her husband actually at the side of the principal offender. The 
indignation of Marion was not apt to expend itself in words. 
Redress was promised to the complainant and she was dismissed. 
Marion, proceeded with all diligence, to the recovery of the prop- 
erty. But his course was governed by prudence as well as deci- 
sion. The offenders were men of some influence, and had a small 
faction in the brigade, which had already proved troublesome, 
and might be dangerous. One of them was a major, the other a 
captain. TLeir names are before us in the MS. memoir of Horry, 



52 ADVENTURKS 

whose copious details on this subject leave nothing to be supplied 
We forbear giving them, as their personal publication would 
answer no good purpose. They were in command of a body of 
men, about sixty in number, known as the Georgia Refugees. 
Upon the minds of these men the offenders had already sought 
to act, in reference to the exDCCted collision with their general 
Marion made his preparations with his ordinary quietness, and 
then dispatched Horry to the person who was in possession of 
the sword of Crofts ; for which he made a formal demand. He 
refused to give it up, alleging that it was ■ his, and taken in war. 
* If the general wants it,' he added, ' let him come for it himself.' 
Wlien this reply was communicated to Marion he instructed 
Horry to renew the demand. His purpose seems to have been, 
discovering the temper of the offender, to gain the necessary time. 
His officers, meanwhile, w^ere gathering around him. He was 
making his preparations for a struggle, which might be bloody, 
which might, indeed, involve not only the safety of his brigade, 
but his own future usefulness. Horry, however, with proper 
spirit, entreated not to be sent again to the offender, giving as a 
reason for his reluctance, that, in consequence of the previous 
rudeness of the other, he was not in the mood to tolerate a repe- 
tition of the indignity, and might, if irritated, be provoked to 
violence. Marion then dispatched his orderly to the guilty ma- 
jor, with a request, civilly worded, that he might see him at head- 
quarters. He appeared accordingly, accompanied by the captain 
who had joined with him in the outrage, and under whose influ 
ence he appeared to act. Marion renewed his demand, in ])erson 
for the sword of Crofts. The other again refused to deliver it 
alleging that ' Crofts was a Tory, and even then with the enemy 
in Georgetown.' 



OF MARION. 53 

"'Will you deliver me the sworu or not, Major V was 

the answer which Marion made to this suggestion. 

" ' I will not !' was the reply of the oftender. ' At these words, 
says Horry in the MS. before us, ' I could forbear no longer, and 
said with great warmth, ' By G — d, sir, did I command this bri 
gade, as you do, I would hang them both up in half an hour ! 
Marion sternly replied, — ' This is none of your business, sir : they 
are both before me ! — Sergeant of the guard, bring me a file of 
men with loaded arms and fixed bayonets !' — ' I was silent !' adds 
Horry : ' all our field officers in camp were present, and when the 
second refusal of the sword was given, they all put their hands to 
their swords in readiness to draw. My own sword was already 
drawn !' 

" In the regular service, and with officers accustomed to, and 
bred up in, the severe and stern sense of authority which is usu- 
ally thought necessary to a proper discipline, the refractory of- 
fender would most probably have been hewn down in the moment 
of his disobedience. The effect of such a proceeding, in the pres- 
ent instance, might have been of the most fatal character. The 
espj'it de corps might have prompted the immediate followers of 
the offender to have seized upon their weapons, and, though anni 
hilated, as Horry tells us they would have been, yet several 
valuable lives might have been lost, which the country could ill 
have spared. The mutiny would have been put do^vn, but at 
what a price ! The patience and prudence of Marion's character 
taught him forbearance. His mildness, by putting the offender 
entirely in the wrong, so justified his severity, as to disarm the 
followers of the criminals. These, as we have already said, were 
about sixty in number. Horry continues : ' Their intentions were, 

to call upon these men for support — our officers well knew thai 
4 



54 ADVENTURES 

they meant, if possible, to intimidate Marion, so as to [make him] 
come into their measures of plunder and Tory killing.' The affair 
fortunately terminated without bloodshed. The prudence of the 
general had its effect. The delay gave time to the offenders for 
reflection. Perhaps, looking round upon their followers, they 
saw no consenting spirit of mutiny in their eyes, encouraging their 
own ; for ' though many of these refugees were present, none of- 
fered to back or support the mutinous officers ;'^and when the 
guard that Avas ordered, appeared in sight, the companion of the 
chief offender was seen to touch the arm of the other, who then 
proffered the sword to Marion, saying,' General, you need not have 
sent for tho guard/ Marion, refusing to receive it, referred him 
to the sergeant of the guard, and thus doubly degraded, the dis- 
honored major of Continentals — for he was such — disappeared 
from sight, followed by his associate." 

What adds to our respect for Marion and his followers, was the 
patient endurance with which they suffered every kind of priva- 
tion and hardihood. During the whole early part of his career, 
Marion slept in the open air. When he took command of the 
" Brigade," he had one blanket, but on one occasion as he- was 
sleeping soundly, after one of his forced marches, upon a bed of 
pine straw, it took fire, his blanket was destroyed, and he himself 
very narrowly escaped destruction. The cap that he wore was 
shrivelled up by the flames. After this event, he was even denied 
the poor luxury of a blanket, the cause for which his life and time 
was wholly surrendered, not being able to afford him another one. 

In other places the reader will find sketches of the explaits en- 
acted by Horry, Jasper, and Macdonald, all of whom served under 
Marion. We propose here to subjoin a few of the most striking 
adventures and exploits of others of his heroic band. The con- 



OF MARION. Oiy 

stant employment wliicli he gave liis scouts, and in them it v/a« 
necessary to repose unlimited confidence, as it was by their fidelity 
and activity that his own movements were conti'olled, taughl 
them coolness and audacity. 

" They were out in all directions and at all hours. They did 
the double duty of patrol and spies. They hovered about the 
posts of the enemy, crouching in the thicket, or darting along 
the plain, picking up prisoners, and information, and spoils to- 
gether. They cut ofl^ stragglers, encountered patrols of the foe, 
and arrested his supplies on the way to the garrison. Sometimes 
the single scout, buried in the thick tops of the tree, looked 
down upon the march of his legions, or hung perched over the 
hostile encampment till it slept, then slipping down, stole through 
the silent host, carrying off a drowsy sentinel, or a favorite 
charger, upon which the daring spy flourished conspicuous among 
his less fortunate companions. The boldness of these adventurers 
was, sometimes, wonderful almost beyond belief. It was the strict 
result of that confidence in their woodman skill, which the prac- 
tice of their leader, and his invariable success, naturally taught 
them to entertain." 

Gavin Witherspoon, on one occasion, while performing his duty 
as scoui, performed the following exploit. " He had taken refuge 
in Pedee Swamp from the pursuit of the enemy, and, while 
hiding, discovered one of the camps of the Tories who had been 
in pursuit of him. Whitherspoon proposed to his four comrades 
to watch the enemy's camp, until the Tories were asleep. But 
his men timidly shrunk fi-om the performance, expressing their 
dread of superior numbers. Witherspoon undertook the adven- 
ture himself. Creeping up to the encampment, he found that 
*iiey slept at the butt of a pine tree, which had been torn up by 



56 ADVENTURES 

the roots. Their guns were piled against one of its branches at 
a little distance from them. These he first determined to secure, 
and, still creeping, with the skill and caution of an experienced 
scout, he succeeded in his object. The guns once in his posses- 
sion, he aroused the Tories by commanding their surrender. 
They were seven in number, unarmed, and knew nothing of the 
force of the assailant. His own more timid followers drew near in 
sufficient time to assist in securing the prisoners." 

The following instance of daring is related of Major James, of 
whose courage the reader will find another instance, in another place. 
In one of Marion's sudden attacks upon the enemy, James distin- 
guished himself, by singling out Major Gainey, the commander 
of the enemy's troops, for personal combat. " But Gainey shrank 
from his more powerful assailant, and sought safety in flight. 
James pursued for a distance of half a mile. In the eagerness 
of the chase he did not perceive that he was alone and unsup- 
ported. It was enough that he was gaining upon his enemy, who 
was almost within reach of his sword, when the chase brought 
them suddenly upon a body of Tories who had rallied upon the 
'•oad. There was not a moment to be lost. Hesitation would 
have been fatal. But our gallant Major was not to be easily intimi- 
dated. With great coolness and presence of mind, waving his 
sword aloft, he cried out, ' come on, boys ! here they are !' and 
rushed headlong upon the group of enemies, as if perfectly as- 
sured of support. The ruse was successful. The Tories broke 
once more, and sought safety from their individual enemy in the 
recesses of Pedee swamp." 

During the attack on Georgetown by Man* on and Lee, a party 
of the English made an attack upon a small party of the Ameri- 
cans who were in possession of an in closure that surrounded a 



OF MARION. 57 

house, from which they had but a few moments before expelled 
the enemy. The royalists were most anxious to recover posses- 
sion of the ground, and their leader urged them to the attack, by 
exclaiming : " Rush on, my brave fellows, they are only worthless 
militia, and have no bayonets." Sergeant Ord, a soldier re- 
nowned for his heroic valor, immediately hastened to the gate of 
the inclosure, and placed himself as barrier to their progress. 
And when they rushed up to force their way in, he laid six of his 
enemies, in succession, dead at his feet, crying out at every 
thrust. " Any bayonets here — none at all to be sure !" following 
up his strokes with such rapidity and force, that the British partj 
fell back dismayed before the unwavering front, and Herculaen 
strength of their single adversary, and were obliged to retire 
Certainly, this was a performance not excelled, and, scarcely, equal- 
ed, by any of the Homeric heroes. 

The following exploit as enacted by one of " Marion's men," 
was worthy to have been performed by Richard of the Lion 
Heart, and reminds us of the incident when that " Pearl of Crusa- 
ders" dashed up singly before the army of Saladin, and by the 
simple shaking of his spear held in check the Mahommaden hosts. 
Colonel Watson, when in pursuit of Marion, came up with his 
guard at Wiboo swamp, and, iimuediately, commenced the attack. 
Horry, who commanded the cavalry, was thrown back in disorder, 
and the enemy's horse were following up the advantage, pressing 
closely upon the whigs as they were crossing a narrow causeway, 
when Gavin James, a man of gigantic frame, and mounted on a 
powerful horse, whirled in front of the advancing column, and 
discharged his musket, shooting the first man dead. In an in- 
stant, a volley blazed from the advancing foe, but, wonderful to 
state, not a shot took effect. A draajoon rushed forward, but he 



68 A ROMANTIC STORY. 

was, instantly transfixed by the bayonet in the hand of James— 
another shared the same fate, and fell beside his companion. 
Awed by a single adversary, the whole column halted, when ani- 
mated and inspired by such signal daring, the cavalry of Marion 
turned upon then* enemy, and charged with such unpetuosity a 
to scatter the royahsts before them. 



A ROMANTIC STORY. 

At the battle of Eutaw Springs, in the midst of the conflict, as 
the two armies were hurled on each other with a fearful force, 
two officers of the same rank became engaged in a desperate per- 
sonal conflict. Their swords flashed with inconceivable rapidity, 
now one advanced, and now the other, each bending the whole 
thought of his soul to the single adversary before him, and grow- 
ing unmindful of the din around him. They heeded not the 
crash of artillery, the rapid clang of arms, the loud shriek of pain, 
nor the wild cry of despair. But it soon became manifest that the 
loyalist officer, though somewhat inferior to the other in weight, 
was the better swordsman ; this the American perceived, and re- 
solving at all hazards to conquer his foe, he beat down his guard, 
closed in, clasped him in his firm embrace, and made him prisoner. 

When the captor and his prisoner met after the battle, it was 
observed that there was a strong personal resemblance between 
them. They were both youthful, high-minded, and chivalrous 
gentlemen ; and a strong unanimity of feeling existing between 
them, with a respect already implanted by their respective bearing 
in tlie combat, a familiar acquaintance sprang up, which gradu 



A ROMANTIC STORY. 5V) 

ally grew into friendship, and ended in a sincere, and ardent mu 
tual attachment, as chivah-ous in its natnre, as it was romantic in 
its origin. Some Httle time after the battle, the American officer 
returning home, on furlough, requested and obtained permission 
for his captive friend to accompany him. 

They traveled like brother knights of old, each pledged to the 
other's defence, and bound to consider all alike as common friends 
or common enemies. Their route lay through a district, which 
was the sanguinary field of many bloody collisions, and cursed by 
prowling detachments of tories, who exercised a robber's privilege 
of warring on all whom it pleased their fancy to construe into 
foes, or who tempted their avarice, or excited their vengeance. 
One day, the two heroes were suddenly overtaken by a shower, 
and throwing their cloaks over their shoulders, they retreated 
under the shelter of a group of trees. Suddenly there appeared 
on the road, a party of tories, who with drawn swords, and shout- 
ing over their anticipated plunder, dashed toward the spot where 
stood the two friends. The high-souled American resolved not 
to fall into the hands of those, whom, every instinct of his nature, 
and every impulse of his virtuous mind, stamped as men to detest 
and loathe, and as stinging aspens in the bosom of his country ; 
and, the heroic Britan, scorning the motives that actuated them, 
and although to make himself known, was but to obtain safety 
and freedom, also resolved to defend himself to the last, and fall 
or live, the friend of him by whom he had been so generously 
distinguished. But their cunning and their valor achieved for 
them a glorious triumph. With waving swords, and with signals 
to the rear, as if urging companions behind them to follow, they 
spurred their horses, and both togeth-jr dashed upon the approach 
ing enemy. The fury of their onset, the determined vigor with 



60 A ROMANTIC STORY. 

which tlie}^ wliirled their weapons above their heads, and tlieii 
shouts for their supposed companions to follow, alarmed theii 
opponents, who offered but a feeble resistance, and then fled 
rapidly, leaving the field to their victorious enemy, whom they 
outnumbered by many fold. 

With numerous adventures that more effectually linked theii 
friendship, they arrived safely at the home of the American offi- 
cer. Here the Englishman was welcomed, and in the home of 
his friend he found those who generously admitted into their 
confidence and friendship, one who had become so attached to 
one of its promising members. In course of his sojourn here, 
some remarks were dropped which led to inquiries, and the father 
of the American, to the unmingled joy of all parties, discovered 
that the two officers were first cousins. Their striking personal 
resemblance thus became accounted for, and perhaps their invol- 
untary and mental attraction may be attributed to the same cause. 

The joy of the American family in discovering a kinsman so 
lofty in virtue, and possessed of all generous qualities, and one 
who brought to their circle, high talents and briliant parts, that 
daily won upon their hearts, was greatly augmented by the ap- 
pearance of an attachment springing up between the new found 
cousin, and a sister of the American, This lady was amiable and 
highly accomplished, and charmed by the bearing of the gen- 
erous stranger, she soon yielded to him more of affection and 
admiration, than was due to a cousin. He also was moved by 
her beauty and her many amiable traits, and thus they became 
betrothed, to the unbounded satisfaction of the brother. The 
Englishman had as effectuaJv been conquered by the beauty of 
the sister, as by the superior strength of the brother. He was a 
prisoner, soul and body, in the conquerer's family. The reader 



A ROMANTIC STORY. Gl 

may be assured that what we write is not fiction, though it sounds 
marvelously like legends of knightly love and conquest in the 
olden time. The facts of the story are given by Dr. Caldwell, 
author of a life of Gen. Greene, who knew the parties when a 
boy, and saw them often. 

But alas ! our romance now becomes a tragedy. The steru 
front of Mars breaks in upon the scene, and Fate, "with his iron 
hand, rends the happy picture. The youthful foreigner, has been 
exchanged, and a summons comes demanding his presence in his 
regiment. The duty is a sad one, but his honor compels him to 
yield, and the lady, worthy of his chivalrous heroism, bids hira 
ofo, as she would be the last to wither his laurels. Never went 
forth mailed knight, followed by prayers of greater loveliness, or 
accompanied by the blessings of superior beauty. Their parting 
was a scene of woe and tenderness. The future was a blank 
with no lankmark that might show them where to hope. Danger 
and death hovered on the horizon, and gloomy uncertainty racked 
the present. Tlie lover was to bear arms against his betrothed's 
brother, and the two friends were again to assume to each other 
the deadly front of war. But they parted, duty pointing to each 
his course. Ere the lovers seperated, however, they pledged 
themselves to remain faithful to each other, and, in the event of a 
happy reunion, to become united in wedlock. With mingled 
hopes and fears, the Briton hastened to his regiment, leaving a 
sad vacuum in the circle where he had brought so much joy, and 
eft so much sorrow. But his noble heart was soon doomed to 
ink beneath a blow, that, at once, and forever, prostrated his 
hopes of happiness, and consigned them to the grave where lay 
buried his love. But a few weeks after the departure of the of- 
ficer, the young lady was stricken down by an epidemic, which 



63 CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT, AND ESCAPE 

ravaged alike on the young, the hopeful and the beautiful, as it 
did ou the withered, and the defiled, and her hopeful page of life 
wag. closed suddenly and forever. 



CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT, AND ESCAPE 
OF GENERAL WADSWORTH. 

"In the spring of 1Y80, General Peleg Wadsworth was ap 
pointed to the command of a party of state troops in Camden, in 
the district of Maine. At the expiration of the period for whicJi 
the troops were engaged, in February following. General Wads 
worth dismissed his troops, retaining six soldiers only as his guard, 
as he was making preparations to depart from the place. A 
neighboring inhabitant communicated his situation to the British 
commander at Penobscot, and a party of twenty-fiv^e soldiers 
commanded by Lieut. Stockton, was sent to make him a prisoner. 
They embarked in a small schooner, and landing within four 
miles of the General's quarters, they were concealed in the house 
of one Snow, a Methodist preacher, professedly a friend to him, 
but really a traitor, till eleven o'clock in the evening, when they 
made their arrangements for the attack on the general's quarters 

" The party rushed suddenly on the sentinel, who gave the 
alarm, and one of his comrades instantly opened the door of the 
kitchen, and the enemy vv^ere so near as to enter with the senti 
nel. The lady of the general, and her friend. Miss Fenno of Bos 
ton, were in the house at the time, and l^.Irs. Wadsworth escaped 
from the room of her husband into that of Miss Fenno. 

" The assailants soon became masters of the whole house, except 



OF GENERAL WADSVVORTH. 63 

the room where the general was, and which was strongly baired, 
and they kept up a constant firing of musketry into the windows 
and doors except into those of the ladies' room. General Wads- 
worth was provided with a pair of pistols, a blunderbuss and a 
fusee, which he employed ^vith great dexterity, being determined 
to defend himself to the last moment. With his pistols, which 
he discharged several times, he defended the rooms of his window 
and a door which opened into a kitchen. His blunderbuss he 
snapped several times, but unfortunately it missed fire, he then 
secured his fusee, which he discharged on some who were break- 
ing through the windows, and oh^iged them to flee.. He next 
defended himself with his bayonet, till he received a ball through 
his left arm, when he surrendered, which terminated the contest. 
The firing, however, did not cease from the kitchen until the 
general unbarred the door, when the soldiers rushed into the 
room, and one of them who had been badly wounded, pointing a 
musket at his breast, exclaimed with an oath, ' you have taken 
my life and I will take yours.' But Lieutenant Stockton turned 
the musket aside and saved his life. The commanding officer now 
applauded the general for his admira.ble defence, and assisted in 
putting on his clothes, saying, ' you see we are in a critical situa- 
tion, and therefore you must excuse haste.' Mrs. Wadsworth 
threw a blanket over him. and Miss Fenno affixea a handkerchief 
closely around his wounded arm. 

" In this condition, though much exhausted, he, wdth a wounded 
American soldier, was directed to march on foot, while the British 
wounded soldiei-s were mounted on a horse taken from the general's 
barn. They departed in great haste. When they proceded 
about a mile, they met at a small house, a number of people 
collected, and who inquired if they had takei General Wads- 



64 CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT, AND ESCAPE 

worth. They said no, and added, that they must leave a 
wounded man in their care, and if they paid proper attention to 
him, they should be compensated, but if not, they would burn 
down their house ; but the man appeared to be dying. General 
Wadsworth was mounted on the horse behind the other wounded 
soldier, and was warned that his safety depended on his silence. 
Having crossed over a frozen mill-pond about a mile in length, 
they were met by some of their party who had been left behind. 
At this place they found a British privateer which brought the 
party from the fort. The captain on being told that he must re- 
turn there with the prisoner and the party, and seeing some of 

his men wounded, became outrageous, and d d the general 

for a rebel, demanded how he dared to fire on the king's ti-oops, 
and ordered him to help launch the boat, or he would put his 
hanger through his body. The general replied, that he was a 
prisoner, and badly wounded, and could not assist in launching 
the boat. Lieutenant Stockton, on hearing of this abusive treat- 
ment, in a manner hpnorable to himself, told the captain that the 
prisoner was a gentleman, had made a brave defence, and was to be 
treated accordingly, and added, that his conduct should be repre- 
sented to General Campbell. After this the captain treated the pris- 
oner with great civility and afibrded him every comfort in his power. 
" General Wadsworth had left the ladies in the house, not a 
window of which escaped destruction. The doors were broken 
down and two of the rooms were on fire, the floors were covered 
with blood, and on one of them lay a brave old soldier danger- 
ously wounded, begging for death, that he might be released from 
misery. The anxiety and distress of Mrs. Wadsworth was inex* 
pressible, and that of the general was greatly increased by the 
UDcertainty in his mind respecting the fate of his little son, only 



OF GENERAL WADS WORTH. G5 

five years old, who had been exposed to every dangei by the 
firiiig into the house, but he had the happiness afterwards of 
hearing of his safety. 

"Having arrived at the British fort, the capture of General 
Wadsworth was soon announced, and the shore thronged with 
spectators, to see the man, who through the preceding year had 
disappointed all the designs of the British in that quarter ; and 
loud shouts were heard from the rabble that covered the shore ; 
but when he arrived at the fort and was conducted into the offi- 
cer's guard room, he was treated with politeness. General 
Campbell, the commandant of the British garrison, sent his com- 
pliments to him, and a surgeon to dress his wound, assuring him 
that his situation should be made comfortable. The next morninty. 
General Campbell invited him to breakfast, and at table paid 
him many compliments in the defence he had made, observing 
however, that he had exposed himself in a degree not perfectly 
justifiable. General Wadsworth replied, that from the manner 
of the attack, he had no reason to suspect any design of taking 
him alive, and that he intended therefore to sell his life as dearly 
as possible. He w^as then informed, that a room in the officer's 
barracks within the fort, was prepared for him, and that an or- 
derly sergeant should daily attend him to breakfast and dinner 
at the commandant's table. Having retired to his solitary apart- 
ment, and while his spirits were extremely depressed by a recol- 
lection of the past, and by his present situation, he received from 
General Campbell several books of amusement, and soon after a 
»nsit from him, kindly endeavoring to cheer the spirits of his pris- 
oner by conversation. The principal officers of the garrison also 
called upon him, and from them all, whom he daily met at the 
commandant's table, he received particular attention and kindness 



66 CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT, AND ESCAPE 

^- lie now made application for a flag of truce, by wliicli means 
he could transmit a letter to the governor of Massachusetts, and 
another to Mrs. Wadsworth. This was granted, on the condition 
that the letter to the governor should be inspected. The flag was 
entrusted to Lieutenant Stockton, and on his return, the general 
was relieved from all anxiety respecting his wife and family 
At the end of five weeks, he requested of General Campbell, the 
customary privilege of parole, and received in reply, that his case 
had been reported to the commanding officer at New York, and 
that no alteration could be made, till orders were received from 
that quarter. In about two months time, Mrs. Wadsworth and 
Miss Fenno arrived, and the officers of the garrison contributed 
to render their \asit agreeable to all concerned. 

" About the same time, orders w^ere received from the com- 
manding general at New York, which were concealed from Gene- 
ral Wadsworth, but he finally learnt that he was not to be paroled 
nor exchanged, but was to be sent to England as a rebel of too 
much consequence to be at liberty. Not long afterwards, Major 
Benjamin Benton, a brave and worthy man, who had served un- 
der the general the preceding summer, was taken and brought 
into the fort, and lodged in the same room with him. He had 
been informed, that both himself and the general, were to be sent 
immediately after the return of a privateer now on a cruise, either 
to New York or Halifax, and thence to England. The pnsoners 
immediately resolved to make a desperate effort to eff'ect their 
escape. They were confined in a grated room in the officer's bar- 
racks within the fort. The walls of this fortress, exclusively of 
the depth of the ditch surrounding it, were twenty feet high, 
with fraising on the top, and chevanx de frise at the bottom 
Two sentinels were always in the entrj^, and their door — the upper 



OF GENERAL WADSWORTH. 67 

part of whicli was glass, might be opened by their watchmen 
whenever they thought proper, and was actually opened at sea- 
sons of peculiar darkness and silence. At the exterior doors of 
the entries, sentinels were also stationed, as were others in the 
body of the fort, and at the quarters of General Campbell. At 
the guard house a strong guard was daily mounted. Several 
sentinels were stationed on the walls of the fort, and a complete 
line occupied them by night. Without the ditch, glacis and 
abattis, another complete set of soldiers patroled through the 
night, and a piquet guard was placed in or near the isthmus lead- 
ing from the fort to the main land. Notwithstanding all these 
fearful obstacles to success, they resolved to make the perilous 
attempt. 

"The room in which they were confined, was railed with 
boards. One of these they determined to cut off so as to make a 
hole large enough to pass through, and then to creep along till 
they should come to the next or middle entry ; and there lower 
themselves down into this entry by a blanket. If they should 
not be discovered, the passage to the walls of the fort was easy 
In the evening, after the sentinels had seen the prisoners retired 
to bed. General Wadsworth got up, and standing in a chair at- 
tempted to cut with his knife, the intended opening, but soon 
found it impracticable. The next day, by giving a soldier a dol- 
lar they procured a gimblet. With this instrument, they pro- 
ceeded cautiously and as silently as possible to separate the 
board, and in order to conceal every appearance from their ser 
vants and from the officers, their visitors, they carefully covered 
the gimblet holes with cheAved bread. At the end of three 
weeks, their labors were so far completed, that it only remained 
to cut with a knife the parts which were left to hold the piece in 



68 CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT, AND ESCAPE 

its place. When tlieir preparations were finished, they learned 
that the privateer in which they were to embark, was daily ex 
pected. 

"In the evening of the 18th of June, a very severe storm of 
rain, with great darkness and almost incessant lightning came on. 
This the prisoners considered as the propitious moment. Having 
extinguished their lights, they began to cut the corners of the 
board, and in less than an hour the intended opening was com- 
pleted. The noise which the operation occasioned, was drowned 
by the rain falling on the roof Major Boston first ascended to 
the ceiling, and pressed himself through the opening. General 
Wadsworth next, having put the corner of his blanket through 
the hole and made it fast by a strong wooden skewer, attempted 
to make his way through, standing on a chair below, but it was 
with extreme difficulty that he at length effected it, and reached 
the middle entry. From this he passed through the door which 
he found open, and made his way to the wall of the fort, 
and had to encounter the greatest diflSculty before he could as- 
cend to the top. He had now to creep along the top of the fort 
between the sentry boxes, at the very moment when the relief 
was shifting sentinels, but the falling of the heavy rain kept the 
sentinels within their boxes, and favored his escape. Having 
now fastened his blanket round a picket at the top, he let him- 
self down through the chevaux de frise to the ground, and, in a 
manner astonishing to himself, made his way into the open field. 
Here he was obliged to grope his way among rocks, stumps and 
brush in the darkness of »ight, till he reached the cove. Hap- 
pily the tide had ebbed, and he was enabled to cross the water, 
which was about a mile in breadth, and not more than three feet 
deep. 



OF GENERAL WADSWORTH. GO 

" AI)oiit two o'clock in tlie mornino*, General Wadsworth found 
himself a mile and a half from the fort, and he proceeded through 
a thick wood and brush to the Penobscot river, and, after passing 
Bome distance along the shore, being seven miles from the fort, to 
his unspeakable joy, he saw his friend Beaton advancing towards 
him. Major Benton had been obliged to encounter in his course, 
equal difficulties with his companion, and such were the incredible 
perils, dangers and obstructions, which they surmounted, that 
their escape may be considered almost miraculous. 

" It was now necessary that they should cross the Penobscot 
river, and very fortunately they discovered a canoe with oars on 
the shore suited to their purpose. While on the river, they dis- 
covered a barge with a party of the British from the fort, in pur- 
suit of them, but by taking an oblique course, and plying their 
oars to the utmost, they happily eluded the eyes of their pui sup.rs, 
and arrived safe on the western shore. After having wandered 
in the wilderness for several days and nights, exposed to extreme 
fatigue and cold, and with no other food than a little dry bread 
and meat, -which they brought in their pockets from the fort, they 
reached the settlements on the river St. George, and no further 
difficulties attended their return to their respective families." 



GALLANT ENTERPRISE OF MAJOR BARTON. 

In the latter part of 1776, Major General Lee, during Wash- 

. ington's retreat through the Jerseys, unfortunately fell into the 

hands of the enemy, and was conveyed with tjiumph into New 
5 



70 GALLANT ENTERPRISE 

York. This circiimstanGe, at the darkest era of our revolutionary 
contest, greatly depressed the spirits of the Americans, particu- 
arly as there was no prisoner in their hands for whom he could 
je exchanged. 

Under these circumstances many enterprises were projected to 
capture some English officer of equal rank, by which means an 
exchange could be effected, but it was reserved for Ma^or Barton 
of the Rhode Island line, to successfully plan and accomplish this 
purpose. 

Shortly after the capture of Lee, the British took possession of 
the islands of Rhode Island, Canonicut and Prudence, in Nar- 
ragansett Bay. Major Barton was, at this time, attached to a 
regiment, under command of Colonel Stanton, that was stationed 
at Tiverton, on the eastern shore of the Bay. From this place, he 
anxiously watched an opportunity to effect the object he had at 
heart. In June 1*777, he learned from a prisoner, that General 
Richard Prescott had established his head-quarters on the west 
side of Rhode Island, and the prisoner gave a minute description 
of the hou^e. This account w^as, a few days after, confirmed by a 
deserter from the British ranks. Conceiving the favorable op- 
portunity now afforded, he began to make preparations for the 
execution of his design. But there were serious obstacles in the 
way. The enterprize proposed was hazardous to the extreme, 
and its failure liable to bring upon it, condemnation as rash and 
foolhardy ; but then again, if successful, an enviable and honor- 
able renown would be the reward of those concerned. He com- 
municated his designs to Col. Stanton, his superior officer, who 
gave it his commendation, and permitted him to select from his 
regiment such men and officers as he desired to assist him in the 
attack. From an apprehension that his design might become 



OF MAJOR BARTON. 71 

known to the enemy, he did not make a selection of the neces- 
sary number of men until the last moment, and then with a de- 
sire that he might be accompanied only by volunteers, he ordered 
his whole company upon parade, and in a brief speech stated that 
he wished to obtain forty volunteers for an expedition of great 
hazard, and all that wished to accompany him, should signify it 
by stepping from the ranks. Without one exception, the whole 
regiment advanced. He now found it necessary to make the 
selection himself, and he did so, choosing those whose courage 
and fidelity were tested. Several officers had personaly volunteered, 
but not one of the party, save Barton himself, knew of the object 
in view, but all trusted to the honor and courage of their leader 

Some delay was experienced in procuring boats, but on the 4th 
of July 177*7, they embarked from Tiverton for Bristol. In cross- 
ing Mount Hope Bay, they suffered from a severe storm, but they 
arrived at Bristol at midnight. On the morning of the 5th, the 
Major, with his officers, went over to Hog Island for the purpose 
of reconnoitering the position of the enemy. Here he revealed 
the object of the expedition, and his plan for its accomplishment. 

It was not until the evening of the 5th, that the party again 
embarked. Crossing ISTarragansett Bay, they landed on War- 
wick Neck, but were here detained by a severe storm which re- 
tarded their plans considerably. On the 9th, however, it became 
clear, and they prepared once more to sail, with the intention of 
proceeding directly to Rhode Island. Some hours after the sei 
>f sun, all was still, and the darkness affording them a protection 
from observation, the little squadron shot out from the land, and 
proceeded noiselessly and cautiously on its course. This was a 
very hazardous part of the enterprise, as there was great danger 
of being discovered by some of the ships of war that lay near the 



72 GALLANT ENTERPRISE 

shore. Cautiously gliding along between the islands of Pru- 
dence and Patience, by which means they were secured from ob- 
servation fi-ora the enemy's shipping that lay off by Hope Island, 
they advanced rapidly to their destination. While passing the 
north end of Prudence Island, they could distinctly hear the sen- 
tinels from the ships, cry out, " All's well.' The night was one 
Df excessive darkness, and this fortunate circumstance, no doubt 
contributed largely to the success of the plan. 

The landing was effected without difficulty. In order to secure 
-I rapid retreat, one man was commanded to remain in each boat, 
and instructed to be ready for departing at a moment?s notice 
When all were on shore, the requisite instructions were given 
and the party advanced rapidly in the direction of General Pres 
cott's head-quarters. The difficulties of Major Barton's situatioD 
will be, readily appreciated. Even should he surprise General 
Prescott, a very few moments v/ould suffice for an alarm to be 
carried to the enemy, and if so, the whole British army would be 
upon them before they could get to their forts, Or even should 
they reach their boats, if an alarm were conveyed to the enemy's 
shipping, their retreat w^ould, with certainty, be cut off. It was, 
therefore, necessary to proceed with the utmost caution and care ; 
and to act with equal daring, prudence, and celerity. 

The distance to the residence of the English general, was about 
a mile. The party was divided into five divisions ; one to ap- 
proach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and 
a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, 
while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to 
be ready to act on emergencies. They were obliged in order to 
reach the house, to pass the guard house of the enemy, on their 
left, and on the right a house occupied by a company of cavalry. 



OF MAJOR BARTOX. 73 

On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, tliey were challenged by 
a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard. The 
darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature 
of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in 
silence, he again challenged them, demanding, "Who goe 
there ?" " Friends" said Barton. " Advance and give the coun 
tersign," was the rejoinder. " Pho !" replied Barton, as he con 
tinued to advance close to the person of the sentinel, " we have 
no countersign — have you seen any rascals to night ?" Almost 
simultaneous with this remark, Barton suddenly seized the mus- 
ket of the sentinel, and charged him to make no noise on the 
penalty of instant death. So much had been accomplished in 
perfect silence. Tlie divisions rapidly advanced to their respec- 
tive positions, while Barton questioned the bewildered and terri- 
jSed sentinel, as to whether the General was in the house, who 
replied that he was. The signal was now given, and in an instant 
the south door was burst open, and the division there stationed, 
rushed into the building followed by the Major. 

The first person Barton met, was Mr. Perwig, who denied thai 
General Prescott was in the house, and his son also obstinately 
denied the presence of the English officer. Not being able to 
find him in their rapid search through the apartments. Barton 
now had result to stratagem. In a loud voice, he declared his 
intention of capturing the general dead or alive, and ordered his 
soldiers immediately to set fire to the house. At this juncture, a 
a voice which Barton suspected to belong to the General, inquired 
the cause of the disturbance. Barton rushed to the apartments 
from which came the voice he heard, and finding there an elderly 
gentleman, just rising from his bed, he accosted him as General 
Prescott. To this the gentleman assented, and declared he bore 



74 GALLANT ENTERPRISF, 

tlie name and title. "Then you are my prisoner," rei^lied Bai- 
ton. " I acknowledge that I am," was the rejoinder. He was 
only allowed time to partially dress himself, when he was hunied 
off by his captors. 

Meanwhile a singular circumstance had occurred. At the very 
moment when Barton first gained admission into the house, one 
of the British soldiers managed to escape, and flew to the quarters 
of the main guard to give the alarm. This man, in the alarm of 
the moment, rushed forth with no other clothing than his shirt ; 
and having hastily explained the matter to the sentinel on duty, 
he passed on to the quarters of the cavalry, which was much more 
remote from the head-quarters of the General. But when the 
sentinel came to explain the matter to the officer of the guai-d, it 
seemed so incredible, that he was laughed at, and was told that 
he had seen a ghost. He admitted that the messenger was 
clothed in white, and after being heartily laughed at for his cre- 
dulity, was ordered back to his station, and the guard went back 
to their quarters. This was a most fortunate circumstance, for 
had the alarm of the soldier been believed, nothing could have 
preserved the gallant Major and his band from destruction. 

The whole party with the English general in their midst, 
marched ra])idly toward the shore. Wlien they arrived at the 
boat, their prisoner, who had been hurried away half dressed, was 
permitted to complete his toilet. They re-embarked with all pos- 
sible haste,, and had not got far from the island, when the dis- 
charge of cannon and three sky rockets gave the signal for alarm. 
But, for some cause, the signal was not understood by those on the 
el lips, and, by this fortunate circumstance, the gallant band was 
preserved, for it would have been easy for their enemy to have 
cut off their retreat. Although full of anxiety and apprehension, 



(F MAJOR BARTON. / i) 

fjiey bent every nerve to reach their port of destination, and hap- 
pily succeeded without meeting with any obstacle. 

When they had landed, General Prescott said to the Major, 
" Sir, you have made an amazing bold push to night." " We have 
been fortunate," was the modest reply. The British commander 
was conveyed as a prisoner to Providence, while this gallant en- 
terprise soon becoming noised abroad, it was received every- 
where with unqualified admiration, and the gallant Major and his 
party, became the heroes of the campaign. It was not long after 
the performance of this brilliant exploit, that the prisoner was 
exchanged for General Lee, to the great joy and satisfaction of 
the American army. 



AN INTERESTING STORY. 

Israel Israel, a native of Pennsylvania, after having passed 
ten years in the island of Barbadoes, and amassed a considerable 
property, returned to his native land to enjoy his wealth, and to 
be restored to the society of his family. He married and pre- 
pared to pass the remainder of his years in quiet and ease, when 
the war broke out, and his whole fortune became sacrificed. From 
the commencement of the struggle, he had resolved to take up 
arms for the cause of freedom, but his unprotected family en- 
treated so urgently not to be left alone, and exposed to a merci- 
less enemy, that he determined to draw lots with his younger 
brother, Joseph, to decide which should become a soldier. The 
chance fell upon the younger, and it became Israel's duty to de- 
vote himself to' the safety and welfare of his family. He took up 



() A.\ INTERESTING STORY, 

his residence on a small farm near Wilmington, in iJeloware, 
while his mother and her family resided at Philadelphia. When 
this city fell into tlie hands of the British, the privations and hard 
ships endured by the whig families resident in the town, were all 
that a rapacious soldiery could inflict. Each household had 
several soldiers quartered upon it, who took delight in terrifying 
and plundering its helpless inmates. Such waS the condition of 
Mrs Israel, who was deprived of supplies and in want of the ac- 
tual necessities. Israel, who watched over them with a continued 
anxiety, learned of this, and this knowledge determined him to 
undertake a hazardous journey into the town and to smuggle sup- 
plies for liis suffering family. A tory neighbor, who professed 
great sympathy for him, gave him the countersign. 

It was towards evening, on a day in the latter part of the year 
1Y77 — tliat darkest era of the American cause — that Israel ap- 
proached the city of Philadelphia, on the road leading from Wil- 
mington. His large and powerful frame was enveloped in a 
capacious cloak, which not only was a protection against the 
weather, but which served to conceal sundry parcels of provisions, 
and a bag of money. It was sometime after dark when he 
reached the ferry, when he was hailed by the sentinel, with " Who 
^oes there?" 

^ A friend," was the reply given vvith an anxious heart. 

" The countersign I" 

He promptly gave the countersign. 

" Pass friend !" replied the sentinel ; and with a beating heart, 
the adventurous whig passed quickly on. The main difficulty 
was now over, and his enterprise promised a successful issue. 

A few moments more sufficed to bring him to his mother's resi- 
dence, which he found in possession of several soldiers, quartered 



AN INTERESTING STORY. // 

upon the family. Among them was a fierce and ferocious look- 
ing Hessian, whose aspect was well calculated to terrify the timid, 
and produce disgust among the brave. But he was welcomed 
with open arms by his family, and their happiness was complete 
from the fact that the younger brother, Joseph, was there on a 
secret visit also. But their joy was of short duration. At eleven 
o'clock, while seated at supper, the tramp of horses was heard 
without ; and almost immediately, there was a clamor at the door, 
and an imperious voice demanded admittance. The scene of 
peace within, was instantly changed to one of consternation and 
dismay. The brothers were frantically entreated to fly. The 
younger sprang up the stairs, threw off his uniform, and escaped 
upon the roof of the house. The noise below had now become 
furious, and further delay in admitting them was impossible. 
Accompanied by the pale and terrified females, Mr. Israel pro- 
ceeded to unbar the door, when the intruders, headed by the 
Hessian sergeant, rushed in, and roughly seized Mr. Israel's arm, 
exclaiming, " We have caught him at last — the rebel rascal." 

With an undisturbed mien, a calmness unshaken by the immi- 
nence of the danger, and a consciousness that his brother's safety 
could only be secured by delay, he shook off his assailants, while 
he quietly demanded what was meant, and who it was that 
dared to charge him of being a rebel. The Hessian pointed to 
Caesar, a slave Mr. Israel had brought from the West Indies. 

The young man turned to the negro with a terrible look, and 
exclaimed, " Dare you, Csesar, call me a rebel T The guilty 
black hung his head and trembled. " Gentlemen," said Mr. Is- 
rael, " there is some mistake here. My brother Joseph is the per- 
son meant, I presume. Let me fetch the uniform ; ana then you 
can judge for yourselves. Caesar come with me." 



/S AN INTERESTING STORY. 

Grasping the arm of the black, the young man led him up 
6tairs, exclaiming in his ear, " not one word you rascal, or I'll kill 
you upon the spot." He procured the uniform and returned to 
his captors, and when its entire disproportion became apparent, 
Joseph being light and short of build, while Israel was of a tow- 
ering and robust frame, the soldiers acknowledged their mistake 
and the Hessian officer made some rough attempts at apologising. 
He then imj^ertinently seated himself at the supper table, from 
which the family had been driven by their terror, and saying, " as 
your supper is ready, we will sit down." Mr. Israel controlled 
his resentment, and the family returned to their places at the 
table, and patiently endeavored to listen to the coarse and brutal 
remarks of their untimely guest. The young ladies restrained 
their terror, but still trembling secretly, for fear that the noble in- 
dignation of their brother, would lead him to some act of impru- 
dence. And indeed it was only by a powerful exercise of his 
self-control that he was enabled to submit to his brutal and dis- 
gusting conversation. He gave boastful details of his exploits in 
slaughtering the rebels, so atrocious in their recital, that Mr. Is- 
rael several times grasped his knife, with an impulse to strike 
dov n the savage, but the entreating looks of his agonized mother 
and sisters, restrained the blow. 

" That Paoli affair," said he continuing his recital, " was capital ! 
I was with General Grey in the attack. It was just after mid- 
right when we forced the outposts, and not a noise was heard so 
Joud as the dropping of a musket. How the fellows turned out 
of their encampment when they heard us ! What a running 
about — barefoot and half clothed — and in the light of their own 
fires ! These showed us where to chase them, while they could 
not see us. We killed three hundred of the rebels with the bayo- 



AN INTERESTING STORY. 79 

net ; I .stuck diem myself like so many pigs — one after another — 
till the blood ran out of the touch-hole of my musket." 

The horrible story of the bloody-minded Hessian, was inter 
rupted by Mr. Israel, who starting to his feet, with face pale with 
rage, and his eyes glancing fire, was about to inflict summary 
vengeance on the wretch, but his sisters sprang forward, and 
shriek from the younger one, who fell fainting in his arms, pre- 
vented the catastrophe that might have ensued. All now thrown 
into confusion, the Hessian bade them good night, and left the 
house. 

Relieved from the presence so much dreaded, they now pre- 
pared for the sad scene of parting. Before departing, Mr. Israel 
summoned Caesar before him, and sternly questioned the black 
who declared that he had been compelled to do what he had 
done, and now solemnly promised fidelity for the future. He al- 
ways remained faithful to his promise. The parting was a scene 
of subdued anguish and pain, for the danger was not over. Tearing 
himself from their arms, Mr. Israel left the house, and hastened 
on his journey homeward. But scarcely had he arrived upon his 
farm at Wilmington, than he with his brother-in-law, were ar- 
rested upon the information of the loyalist from whom he had 
received the countersign, and carried on board a frigate lying in 
the Delaware, directly opposite to his farm, where they were con- 
fined, in order to be tried as spies. 

He" was treated with the utmost severity in his captivity. 
Several of his tory neighbors came forward to testify against him, 
am] declared that while the tory population had all come forward 
to furfjish their share of provisions for the royal army, he wi\a 
heard to declare, that he, " loould sooner drive his cattle as a 2'>res- 



8C AN INTERESTING STORY. 

ent to General Washington^ than receive thousands of dollars v/. 
British gold for themP 

When this speech was told the commander, he gave orders foi 
a detachment to proceed to the farm, and drive the cattle down 
to the water's edge, and slay them in the full view of the pris- 
oners. This order gave an opportunity for the display of one of 
the most intrepid acts of female heroism that occurred during the 
whole war. 

The young wife of Mr. Israel, had been overcome by anguish, 
at the fearful fate which seemed to await her husband and brother. 
She was but nineteen, of a slight and symmetrical figure, consid- 
erable beauty, and of a modest, retiring deportment, which gave 
no promise of that heroism, that a trying moment was about to 
develop. 

From the farm she saw the soldiers land from the ships, and 
march towards the meadow which contained her husband's cattle. 
She divined their purpose, and instantly resolved, to thwart it. 
Calling to a little boy, eight years old, to follow her, she started 
for the field with her utmost speed. In an instant the bars were 
down, and she was hurrying forward to drive the herd through the 
opening. The soldiers called out to her to desist, or they would 
fire. 

" Fire away !" exclaimed she, neither fearing nor hesitating. 
They fired, and the balls flew thick about her, while the fright- 
ened cattle began to run in every direction. Heedless of the con- 
tinued threats of the soldiers, she headed them otf, and drove 
them toward the barn-yard. 

" Do not let one escape, Joe I" exclaimed she, while the bullets 
continued to whistle around her. And not one did escape ! The 
little boy became so paralyzed with terror, that he fell to the 



AN INTERESTING STORY. 81 

ground, but seizing him in her arms, the heroic woman herself 
drove them into the barn-yard, and put up the bars. The soldiers 
either baffled by her courage, or out of respect to it, did not pur- 
sue their intentions, and returned to their vessel. 

This scene had passed in view of the officers of the frigate, and 
the two prisoners. The fear and agony endured by the husband 
and brother, while they saw the peril in which the wife was 
placed, must have been great, while they openly showed their ex- 
ultation at her triumph. 

At last they were brought to trial. Mr. Israel openly confesse 
his \asit to Philadelphia, stating the cause, which was to carry re 
lief to his suffering parent and family. Matters looked dark for 
them, but Mr. Israel having learned that the officers of the court 
belonged to the order of Masons, and being himself a member, at 
the close of his story, made the secret sign of the brotherhood to 
the presiding officer. There was an evident change in his favor 
at once. The officer's stern countenance softened, and the pris- 
oners were eventually acquitted. The court severely rebuked the 
informers, for preferring charges against an honorable man, en- 
gaged on a mission of love and duty. The prisoners were dis- 
missed with honor ; but the magnanimity of a verdict, not based 
upon principles of justice, but upon a connection foreign to the 
point at issue, may well be questioned.* 

♦ Mre. EUet's "Women of the Revolution." 



82 A THRILLING NARRATIVE. 



A THRILLING NARRATIVE. 

The following Revolutionary reminisence we find in an old 
periodical, where it is given as a well authenticated fact. 

In the autumn of 17 77, when Lord Howe had possession of 
Philadelphia, the situation of the Americans who could not follow 
their beloved commander, was truly distressing, subject to the 
every day insults of cruel and oppressive foes. Bound to pay 
obedience to laws predicated, on the momentary power of a proud 
and vindictive commander, it can be better pictured than des- 
cribed. To obtain the common necessaries of life, particularly 
flour, they had to go as far as Bristol, a distance of eighteen or 
twenty miles, and even this indulgence was not granted them, un- 
til a pass was procured from Lord Howe, as guards were placed 
along Vine street, extending from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, 
forming a complete barrier ; beyond these, through the woods 
extending as far as Frankford, were stationed the piquet guards — 
thus rendering it in a manner impossible to reach the Bristol 
mills, unless first obtaining a pass. 

The American forces were then encamped at the Valley Forge, 
suffering from cold, hunger, and the inclemency of the season. 
The British rolled in plenty, and spent their days in feastings, 
their nights in balls, riois, and dissipation ; thus resting in sup- 
posed security, while the American chief was planning a mode 
for their final extirpation. A poor woman, with six small children, 
whose husband was at the Valley Forge, had made frequent ap- 
plications for a pass. Engagements rendered it impossible for 
her cruel tormenters to give her one. Rendered desperate from 
disappointment and the cries of her children, she started alone 



A THRILLING NARRATIVE. 83 

without a pass, and by good luck eluded the guards and reached 
Bristol. 

About this time, there were six brothers of the name of Doale, 
renowned for many acts of heroic bravery, but which were in the 
character of marauders rather than soldiers. They were men full 
six feet high, stout and active, a fearless intrepidity characterizing 
their deeds, and they always succeeded in making their escape. A 
marked partiality to the Americans, rendered them obnoxious to 
the British, and always welcome to the former, to whom they 
conveyed what information they could glean in their adventures 

Our adventurous female, having procured her flour in a pillow- 
case, holding about twenty pounds, was returning with a light 
heart to her anxious and lonely babes. She had passed the 
piquet guards at Frankford, and was just entering the woods a 
little this side, when a tall, stout man, stepped from behind a tree^ 
and putting a letter in her hand, requested her to read it. She 
grasped with eager joy, the letter bearing the character of hei 
husband's hand-writing. After a pause, he said, " Your husband 
is well, madam, <jnd requested me to say, that in a short time he 
will be with you ; money is a scarce article among us — I mean 
among them ; but on account of your husband's partiality to the 
cause of liberty, I am willing to become his banker." So saying, 
he handed her a piece of money, " my means, madam, are ade- 
quate or I would not be thus lavish," seeing she was about to re- 
fuse it. 

'• You said, sir," my husband would see me shortly ; how do 
you know that which seems so impossible ? and how did you 
know me, who never " 

"Hush, madam, we are now approaching the British guard ^ 
suffice it to say, the American commander has that in his head 



84 A THRILLING NARRATIVE. 

wliich, like an earthquake, will shake the whole American conti- 
nent, and expunge all these miscreants ; but, hark ! take the road 
to the left — farewel." So saying, he departed. She gave one 
look, but vacancy filled the spot where he stood. With slow and 
cautious steps, she approached Vine street. Already her fire 
burned beneath her bread, Avhen the a\\^ul word " halt !" struck 
her to the soul. She started, and found herself in the custody of 
a British sentinel. " Your pass, woman." " I have none, sir ; 

my children are " " D n the rebel crew, why do you 

breed enemies to your king — this flour is mine — off, woman, and 
die Avith your babes." A groan was her only answer. The ruf- 
fian was about departing, when the former messenger appeared — 
his whole demeanor was changed ; humble simplicity marked hif 
gait — he approached the guard with a seeming fearfulness, and 
begged him in a suppliant voice, to give the poor woman her 
flour. " Fool ! idiot !" exclaimed the guard, " who are you ? see 
yonder guard house, if you interfere here, that shall be your 
quarters." " May be so, sir ; but wont you give the poor woman 
the means of supporting her little family one week longer ? recol- 
lect the distance she has walked, the weight of the bag, and 
recollect " 



" Hell and fury, sirrah ! Why bid me recollect, you plead iu 
fain — begone, or I'll seize you as a spy." 

" You won't give the poor woman her floiu- ?" 

" No." 

" Then by my country's faith, and hopes of freedom, you shall !" 
and with a powerful arm, he seized the guard by the throat and 
hurled him to the ground. " Run, madam, run — see the guard 
house is alive — secure your floiu-, pass Vine street, and you are 
safe.'^ 'Twas done. The guard made an attempt to rise, when 



A THRILLING NARRATIVE. b-J 

the stranger drew a pistol, and shot him dead. The unfortunate 
man gazed around him with fearless intrepidity. There was but 
one way of escape, and that through the woods. Seizing tlie 
dead man's musket, he started Hke a deer, pursued by the hounds. 
" Shoot him dovm ! shoot him down !" was echoed from one Hue 
to another. The desperado was lost in the woods, and a genera 
search commenced ; the object of their pursuit, in the meantime, 
flew like lightning ; the main guard was left behind, but the 
whole piquet line would soon be alarmed — one course alone pre- 
sented itself, and that was to mount his horse, which was con- 
cealed among the bushes, and gallop down to the Delaware ; 
a boat was already there for him. The thought was no sooner 
suggested, than it was put into execution. He mounted his horse, 
and, eluding the alarmed guards, had nearly reached the 
Delaw^are. 

Here he found himself headed and hemmed in, by at least 
fifty exasperated soldiers. One sprang from behind a tree, and 
demanded immediate surrender. " 'Tis useless to prevaricate — 
you are now in our possession." " Son of a slave ! slave of a king ! 
how dare you to address a freeman ! Surrender yourself — a Doale 
never surrendered himself to any man, far less to a blinded pol- 
troon — away, or die ;" and attempted to pass. The guard levelled 
his gun ; but himself was levelled in the dust ; the ball of Doale's 
pistol, had been swifter than his own. His case was now truly 
desperate ; behind him was the whole line of guards — on the 
north of him, the Frankford piquets, and on the left of him, the 
city of Philadelphia, filled with British troops. 

One way, and only one presented itself, and that was to cross 
the river. He knew his horse ; he plunged in — a shout succeeded 
and ere he reached half the distance, twenty armed boats were in 



86 THE STORY OF 

swift pursuit. His noble horse daslied through the Delaware, his 
master spurred him on with double interest, while the balls whis- 
tled around him. The tide was running down, and when he reached 
the Jersey shore, he found himself immediately opposite the old 
slip, at Market street. On reaching the shore, he turned round, 
took out a pistol, and, with steady aim, fired at the first boat ; a 
man fell over the side and sank to rise no more. He then disap- 
peared in the wood. The angry, harassed, and disappointed 
pursuers gave one look, one curse, and returned to the Pennsyl- 
vania shore,fully believing, that, if he was not the de^^l, he was 
at least one of his principal agents. 



THE STORY OF AN OLD SOLDIER. 

The following story is as it was related by an old soldier. 

It was in the summer of 1780, at the close of a Sabbath day, 
that the inhabitants of a retired farm house in Georgia assembled 
at their evening repast. The venerable farmer, the widow of his 
son, and her only daughter, a blooming girl of sixteen, composed 
the little circle. " I should like," said the old man, " to know 
where our young soldier is now." Tears and blushes appeared 
at once on the countenance of Kate, and when the mother fer- 
vently exclaimed " God preserve him," she could not restrain her 
sobs ; for it was of her cousin Leonard, her betrothed husband, 
that they spoke. " Out with your tears, baby face," cried her 
grandsire, cheerfully ; " he Avill come home to you soon, nothing 
less than a captain. Wliat ! would vou have him stay at home 
at ijuch a time ; ah ! if I felt not the aches of seventy in my limbs 



AN OLD SOLDIER. bi 

or ooTiId I shake from my gray head a score of years, I would not 
be now sitting in the chimney corner." Kate smiled at her sire's 
earnestness. She handed him the Bible and his spectacles, and 
having listened to the evening portion, and joined in the fervent 
prayer, the peaceful family retired to rest. 

The dwelling of John Camrael was situated on the side of a 
hill, at the foot of which ran a deep narrow stream that watered 
the valley. On the bank of this stream terminated the bounda- 
ly of the farm, and the vale beyond was mostly a thick wood, 
where some new settlers had begun to clear small portions of the 
ground. The huts of these people were the only dw^ellings with- 
in some miles of Cammel's house, which was rendered the more 
retired by the thick shade of the numerous trees which grew 
aroimd it. It was built in the plain style, most suitable to a farm- 
er ; consisting of one story, di\dded into a parlor and three sleep- 
ing apartments, where the inmates lodged. The servants belong- 
ing immediately to the house, occupied the loft above ; while the 
negroes who tilled the farm had their own cottages on the other 
side of the hill, nearly two miles fi-om the dwelling. Kate and 
her mother slept in the back room, whose ^vindows looked on the 
path which wound along the brow of the hill, as it led to the 
house. It was midnight, and Kate had sunk into an uneasy slum- 
ber, when she was startled from it by the indistinct sound of 
smothered voices. Unsuspicious of evil, and unwilling to awake 
her mother, she arose, and gently opened the window ; she leaned 
out and listened ; all was silent, and she saw nothing but the tall 
trees that stood smiling in the moonlight. She was withdrawing, 
when she suddenly perceived something gleam among the thick 
foliage of the old willow, whose branches trailed to the ground. 
Slie fixed her eye upon it — the wmd gently waved the leaves — 



88 THE STORY OF 

it was a bayonet which glanced in the moonbeam. At the same 
instant she saw one of the negroes running toward the house. — 
" Shut the window," he cried, perceiving her : " the British are 
here." A mortal wound from a musket prevented his concluding. 
Kate had heard enough ; she attempted to bar the shutters, but 
ere she could effect it, she heard the report of a gun, and felt its 
burning contents in her bosom. Darkness came over her, and for 
some moments she lay insensible. The fresh air which blew from 
the window on her face, revived her ; she crept to the bed to 
speak to her mother, but it was empty ; and the sound of men's 
footsteps, deep execrations, and horrid oaths, struck her with 
terror. Amidst the noise and tumult, she distinguished the voice 
of her faithful nurse, calling from the upper window, and entreat- 
ing her to come to the loft : " Quick, quick," repeated the woman. 
Kate rose, and with difficulty walked to the door. It was but to 
cross the hall and she would reach the stairs of the garret. She 
entered the hall, and was hastening through it, when she saw the 
manimate body of a man lying across a chair. Another glance 
told her that it was her aged parent. She lingered an instant — 
but that instant decided her fate. The door of the parlor was 
opened, and an officer, with several soldiers, rushed into the hall. 
Approaching the affi-ighted girl, he addressed her in coarse and 
jeering terms. She sunk on her knees, and attempted to suppli- 
cate his mercy ; he rudely grasped her arm, when extreme fear, 
combined ^ith the agonies of her wound, burst the strings of life, 
and she expired at his touch. The officer threw her stiffening 
form from him, with an exclamation of horror, and giving some 
jrder to his men, they quitted the house. But there was one who 
nad been a trembling witness to his brutality ; who had marked 
his countenance, as for a moment he stood with his head uncov- 



AN OLD SOLDIER 80 

ered, and liad heard the name by which the soldiers addi-essed 
him. The old negro, the husband of Kate's nurse, had ventured 
to descend the stairs to seek the ill-fated girl, and had partly un- 
closed the door which shut him from the hall, when he beheld 
her situation, without the power of affording her assistance. He 
now hastened to raise her, and observing the blood which flowed 
from her bosom, he called to his wife to aid him in carrying her 
to the loft. But the volume of smoke that burst forth from every 
part of the house, announced that the marauders had finished 
their dreadful errand. While the nurse supported the cold form of 
her foster child, the old man stole out to observe the motions of the 
enemy. They were'marching silently up the hill, and the faithful 
servants, with their lifeless burthen, fearfully descended to the 
stream, and crossing over a rough bridge, they followed a narrow 
path, which brought them in safety to the cottage of a young 
farmer, who readily opened his door to them. 

Leonard Cammel had entered the army a private soldier, bui 
his merit soon gained him promotion. He had just received a 
lieutenant's commission, and was appointed, in conjunction with 
myself, then of the same rank, to conduct an expedition, the plan 
of which was unfolded to us by Colonel Clarke, our immedi-ite 
commander. As a mark of favor, Leonard was permitted to stop 
at Cammel's farm for two hours, to see and converse with his 
friends. I could not but envy his feelings, as I looked on his 
glowing cheek and sparkling eye, and joined in his bright antici- 
pations. At length we arrived at the farm, and entered the road 
which led to the place of Leonard's nativity. As we ascended 
a high hill, Leonard looked around, and turning pale, said 
' I do not see the house." We pitt the spur to our horses, and 
another moment brought us before the black and smothered 



90 THE STORY OP 

ruin. The house was burnt to the ground, and some of the finest 
trees had shared its fate. The garden, which even in its desola- 
tion seemed to own a woman's taste, was trampled, and its tlow- 
ers were crushed. A bower, which had been shaded by the white 
roses of the luxuriant multiflora, was levelled with the earth ; yet 
the flowers still reared their pale heads, and perfumed the morn 
ing air. 

"This is not the effect of accident," exclaimed Leonard, lean 
ing against a tree, as if stunned by the shock, while the soldiers 
vented their anger in oaths and threats of vengeance. 

" Where shall we seek your family ?" I inquired. 

" Not on earth, I fear," answered Leonard ; yet the eagerness 
with which he led the way to the cottage, showed that he stil. 
cherished hope. The old nurse was sitting at the entrance of the 
hut as we approached ; at the sight of Leonard, she wrung her 
hands, and weeping bitterly, cried, " you have come too late." 

" Whei-e is Kate and my grandfather ?" was Leonard's eager 
inquiry ; and, without waiting her answer, he rushed into the 
house. I followed him, and beheld stretcl:ed on the bed the life- 
less form of a young female ; her white arms were crossed on her 
bosom — her beautiful features were not only convulsed by the 
agony of death, but of mental terror — and her long bi-own hair, 
which flowed over her form, was, in some places, clotted \^dth 
blood. It was only by speaking of revenge, and urging the im- 
perious calls o^ duty, that I was enabled to tear the wretched 
youth from the corpse of his murdered love. Before he departed, 
he ascertained the name of the officer, who had commanded tliesa 
fiends. I was not surprised, when the negro, after detailing the 

whole scene, mentioned the name of G . " You will easily 

know him," he continued, "by a scar which covers his cheek." 



AN OLD SOLDIER. ill 

"I sliall know him," said Leonard bitterly; and his deportment 
then clianged from deep dejection to a fierce and feverish eager- 
ness of manner. We were successful in our errand, and, after a 
few days absence, rejoined Colonel Clarke. One morning, as I 
was sitting alone, Leonard came to my tent, his face lighted up 
with a joyful, but ferocious expression. Before I could speak, he 
exclaimed, " Have you heard the order ? we are to attack Fort 

G ." 

" Who defends it ?" I asked. 

" Who ? G ." Alarmed at his fierceness, I said, " What 

do you think of my friend ?" Grasping his sword, while his brow 
crimsoned with rage, he replied, " of the smoking ruin, and stiff 
corpse I left behind me." 

Colonel G was obliged to surrender to our superior force. 

As at the head of his men, he walked from the fort between the 
ranks of his conqueror, a musket ball whistled through the air ; 

it was aimed by an unerring hand, and G fell to the ground, 

a dead man. Although every exertion was used, it w^as never 
discovered who w^as the murderer. I dared not question Leonard, 
but the calm sternness of his countenance spoke of satisfied re- 
venge. Once I ventured to deplore the event, as a stain upon our 
honor. " Would he had died in battle ; he had trusted to our 
faith ; he was unarmed ; to harm him then, was faithless and un- 
merciful." " He showed her no mercy," said I^eonard, iu a voice 
which made me shudder 



92 ADVENTURES OF THE 



ADVENTURES OF THE BROTHERS SAMMONS. 

Jacob Sammons, and his four sons, were celebrated in the 
border warfare of tbe Mohawk Valley, as staunch and intrepid 
supporters of the American cause. The whole family, with the 
exception of one son, who was absent from home at the time, 
were taken prisoners by Sir John Johnson, in his night descent on 
Johnstown, near which town the Sammons family resided. The 
particulars of the arrest, and of the subsequent marvelous and 
perilous adventures of Jacob and Frederick Sammons, we draw 
from Stone's " Life of Joseph Brant." A more deeply absorbing 
and wonderful history of escapes by flood and field — the history 
of adventure can scarcely produce. 

'' On the night of the attack, Thomas, the youngest, had risen 
at an unwonted hour, in order to feed his horses, and go over to 
a neighboring farm to work with his brother. On coming down 
stairs, however, and stepping out of doors half dressed, to take an 
observation of the weather — it being yet dark, though day was 
just breaking — the thought occurred to him, that should any 
straggling Indians be prowling about, he would stand but a poor 
chance if fallen upon alone. While standing thus in doubt, 
whether to proceed or to wait for more light, he was startled by 
a noise of heavy steps behind, and, as he turned, by the glitter of 
steel passing before his eyes. At the same instant, a hand was 
laid upon his shoulder, with the words — ' you are my prisoner !' 
In such perfect stillness had the enemy approached, that not the 
.sound of a footstep was heard, until the moment wlien the 
younger Sammons was thus arrested, and the house immediately 
surrounded. One of the officers, with several soldiers, instantly 



ciRuTHERS SAMMONS. 03 

entered the house, and ordered the family to get up, and sur- 
render themselves as prisoners. Jacob and Frederick, who were 
hi bed, in the second stoiy, sprang upon their feet immediately, 
and seized their arms. The officer called to them and offered 
quarter if they would surrender. Jacob inquired whether there 
were Indians with them ; adding, that if there were, he and his 
brother would not be taken alive. On being assured to the con- 
trary, the brothers descended the stairs and surrendered. The 
old gentleman was also taken. They were directed to make 
ready to march immediately. Thomas here remarked to the sol- 
dier who yet stood sentinel over him, that he could not travel to 
Canada without his clothes, and especially without his shoes, 
which he had not yet put on — requesting liberty to return to his 
chamber for his raiment. The sentinel refused permission ; but 
Thomas persisted that he must obtain his shoes at least, and was 
stepping toward the door, when the barbarian made a plunge at 
at his back with his bayonet, which had proved fatal, but for the 
quick eyes and the heroism of a sister, standing by, who, as she 
saw the thrust at her brother, sprang forward, and seizing the 
weapon, threw herself across its barrel, and by falling, brought it 
to the ground. The soldier struggled to disengage his arms 
and accomplish his purpose. At the same time, an officei 
stepped forward, and demanded what was the matter. The 
girl informed him of the attempt upon her brother, whereupon 

he rebuked the soldier, by the exclamation — ' you d d rascal, 

would you murder the boy V Immediate permission was then 
given him, to procure whatever articles he wanted." 

With their arms pinioned behind them, the prisoners com- 
menced their march. The course of the tories was one uninter- 
rupted outrage. Houses burned, prisoners made, helpless age. 



94 ADVENTURES OF THE 

and smiling infancy brutally murdered, and property ot all kin.is 
recklessly destroyed. They continued along the Mohawk Valley, 
for several miles, burning and destroying, and then retraced thehr 
steps to Johnstown. Here an English lady interested herself 
successfully for some of the prisoners, with Sir John, and in going, 
into the field to select them, she managed adroitly to include 
young Sammons into the group, for whom an interest had been 
excited in her bosom. The elder Sammons was also released, 
having privately made an appeal to the Baronet, based upon early 
associations and services rendered to him, to which Sir John 
yielded. Jacob and Frederick Sammons, however, w^ere continued 
in captivity. The march was resumed, and the captives marched 
to St. John's, and from thence transferred to the fortress of 
Chamblee. 

" The prisoners at this fortress numbered about forty. On the 
day after their arrival, Jacob Sammons having taken an accurate 
survey of the garrison, and the facilities of escape, conceived the 
project of inducing his fellow prisoners to rise upon the guards 
and obtain their freedom. The garrison w^as weak in number, 
and the sentinels less vigilant than is usual among good soldiers. 
The prison doors were opened once a day, when the prisoners were 
visited by the proper officer, with four or five soldiers. Sammons 
had observed, where the arms of the^guards w^ere stacked in the 
yard, and his plan was, that some of the prisoners sliould arrest 
and disarm the visiting guard, on the opening of their door, while 
the residue were to rush forth, seize the arms, and fight their way 
out. The proposition was acceeded to by his brother Frederick, 
and one other man named Van Sluyck, but was considered too 
daring by the great body of the pisoners to be undertaken. It 
was therefore abandoned, and the brothers sought afterwards only 



BROTHERS SAMMONS. Vo 

for a chance for escaping by tliemselves. Witliin three days, the 
desired opportunity occurred, viz, on the 13th of June, 1V80. 
The prisoners were supplied with an allowance of spruce beer, for 
which two of their number were detached daily, to bring the 
cask from the beer house, under a guard of five men, with fixed 
bayonets. Having reason to suppose, that the arms of the guards 
though charged, were not primed, the brothers so contrived mat- 
ters, as to be taken together to the brewery on the day mentioned, 
with an understanding, that, at a given point, they were to dart 
from the guard, and run for their lives — believing that the con- 
fusion of the moment, and the consequent delay of priming their 
muskets by the guards, would enable them to escape beyond the 
ordinary range of musket shot. The project was boldly executed. 
At the concerted moment, the brothers sprang from their con- 
ducters, and stretched across the plain with great fleetness. The 
alarm was given, and the whole garrison was soon after them in 
hot pursuit. Unfortunately for Jacob, he fell into a ditch, and 
sprained his ankle. Percei\'ing the accident, Frederick returned 
to his assistance ; but the other generously admonished him to 
secure his own flight if possible, and leave him to the chances of 
war. Recovering from his fall, and regardless of the accident. 
Jacob sprang forward again, with as much expedition as possible, 
but finding the lameness impeded his progress, he plunged into a 
thick clump of shrubs and trees, and was fortunate enough to 
hide himself between two logs, before the pursuers came up. 
Twenty or thirty shots had previously been fired upon them, but 
mthout eff*ect. In consequence of the smoke of their fire, prob- 
bly, the guards had not observed Jacob when he threw him self 
nto the thicket, and supposing that, like his brother, he had 
passed around it, they followed on, until they were fairly .lis- 



06 ADVENTURES OF THE 

tanced by Frederiek, of wliom tliey lost sight and trace. Tliej 
returned in about half an hour, halting by the bushes, in which 
the other fugitive was sheltered, and so near, th^ he couhj dis- 
tinctly hear their conversation. The officer in command, wa? 
Capt. Steele. On calling his men together, some were swearing 
and others laughing at the race, and the speed of the ' long 
legged Dutchmen,' as they called the flying prisoners. The pur- 
suit being abandoned, the guards returned to the fort. 

"The brothers had agreed, in case of separation, to meet at a cer- 
tain spot, at 10 o'clock that night. Of course Jacob lay en- 
sconsced in the bushes until night had dropped her sable curtains, 
and until he supposed the hour had arrived, when he sallied forth, 
according to the antecedent understanding. But time did not 
move as rapidly on that evening as he supposed. He waited 
upon the spot designated, and called aloud for Frederick, until he 
despaired of meeting him, and prudence forbade him remaining 
any longer. It subsequently appeared, that he was too early on 
the ground, and that Frederick made good his appointment. 

" Following the bank of the Sorel, Jacob passed Fort St. John's 
soon after day break, on the morning of the 14th. His purpose 
was to swim the river at that place, and pursue his course home- 
ward, through the wilderness on the eastern shore of Lake Cham- 
plain ; but, just as he was perparing to enter the water, he des- 
cried a boat approaching from below, filled with officers and sol- 
diers of the enemy. Concealing himself again in the woods, he 
resumed his journey after their departure, but had not proceeded 
more than two or three miles, before he came upon a party of 
several hundred men, engaged in getting out timber for the pub- 
lic works at the fort. To avoid these, he was obliged to describe 
a wide circuit, in the course of which, at about 12 o'clock, he 



BROTHER.". SAMMONS. 97 

came to n small clearing. Within the enclosure was a hous^ and 
in the fi-elJ were a man and a boy engaged in hoeing potatoes. 
They were at that moment called to dinner, and supposing them 
to be French, who, he had heard, were rather friendly to the 
American cause than otherwise — incited also by hunger and 
fatigue — he made bold to present himself, trusting that he might 
be invited to partake of their hospitality. But instead of a friend, 
he found an enemy. On making known his character, he was 
roughly received. ' It is by such villians that you are,' replied 
the forester, ' that I was obliged to fly from Lake Champlain.'' 
' The rebels,' he added, ' had robbed him of all he possessed, and 
he would now deliver his self-in\'ited guest to the guard, which, 
he said, was not more than a quarter of a mile distant.' Sam- 
mons promptly answered him that ' that was more than he could 
do !' The refugee then said ' he would go for the guard himself;' 
to which Sammons replied, ' that he might act as he pleased, but 
that all the men in Canada should not make him again a 
prisoner.' 

" The man thereupon returned with hi'k son to the potatoe field, 
and resumed his work , while his more compassionate wife gave 
him a bowl of bread and milk, which he ate sitting on the thresh- 
hold of the door, to guard against surprise. While in the house, 
he saw a musket, powder horn, and bullet pouch hanging against 
the wall, of which he determined, if possible, to possess, himself, 
that he might be able to procure food during the long and soli- 
tary march before him. On retiring, therefore, he traveled only 
far enough into the woods, for concealment — returning to the 
woodman's house in the evening, for the purpose of obtaining 
the musket and ammunition. But he was again beset by immi- 
nent peril. Very soon after he entered the house, the sound of 



93 ADVENTURKS OF THE 

npproacliing voices were heard, and lie took to the rude chamber 
fjr security, where he lay flat upon tlie irregular floor, and look- 
ing through tlie interstices, saw eleven soldiers enter, who, it soon 
appeared, came for milk. His situation was now exceedingly 
critical. The churlish proprietor might inform against him, or a 
single moment betray him. But neither circumstance occurred. 
The unwelcome visitors departed in due time, and the family all 
retired to bed, excepting the wife, who, as Jacob descended from 
the chamber, refreshed him with another bowl of milk. She en 
deavored to persuade him, to secrete himself in the woods for two 
days, when she would be enabled to furnish him with some provi- 
sions, for a supply of which her husband was going to the fort the 
next day, and she would likewise endeavor to provide him with a 
pair of shoes. 

" Disinclined to linger so long in the country of the enemy, 
and in the neighborhood of a British fort, he took his departure 
forthwith. But such had been the kindness of the goo^l woman, 
that he had it not in his heart to seize upon her husband's arms, 
and he left this wild scene of rustic hospitality without supplies, 
and without the means of procuring them. Arriving once more 
at the water's edge, at the lower end of Lake Champlain, he 
came upon a hut, within which, on cautiously approaching it for 
reconnoisance, he discovered a party of soldiers all soundly asleep. 
Their canoe was moored by the shore, into which he si)rang, and 
paddled himself up the lake, under the most encouraging pros- 
pect of a speedy and comparatively easy voyage to its head, 
whence his return home would be unattended with either diffi- 
culty or danger. But his pleasing anticipations were extinguished 
on the night following, as he approached the Isle an Noix, where 
hedescri(d a fortification, and the glitter of bayonets bristling id 



BROTHERS SAMMONS. 90 

the air, as thy moonbeams played upon the burnislied arras of the 
sentinels, who were pacing their tedious rounds. The lake being 
very narrow at this point, and perceiving that both sides were 
fortified, he thought the attempt to shoot his canoe between them, 
rather too hazardous an experiment. Sis only course, therefore, 
was to run ashore and resume his travels on foot. Nor on land- 
ing, was his case in any respect enviable. Without shoes, with- 
out food, and without the means of obtaining either — a long 
journey before him, through a deep and trackless wilderness — it 
may well be imagined, that his mind was not cheered by the 
most agreeable anticipations. But without pausing to indulge 
unnecessarily his ' thick coming fancies,' he commenced his soli 
tary journey, directing his course along the eastern lake shore, 
toward x\lbany. During the first four days of his progress, he 
subsisted entirely upon the bark of the birch — chewing the twigs 
as he went. On the fourth day, while resting by a brook, he 
heard a rippling of the water caused by the fish as they were 
stemming its current. He succeeded in catching a few of these, 
but having no means of striking a fire, after devouring one of 
them raw, the others were thrown away. 

" His feet, by this time, were cruelly cut, brusied, and torn by 
thorns, briars, and stones; and while he could scarcely proceed 
by reason of their soreness, hunger and fatigue united to retard 
his cheerless march. On the fifth day, his miseries were aug- 
mented by the hungry swarms of musquetoes, which settled upon 
him in clouds, while traversing* a swamp. On the same day, he 
fell upon the nest of a black duck — the duck sitting quietly upon 
her eggs until he came up and caught her. The bird was no 
sooner deprived of her life, and her feathers, than he devoured 
the whole, including its head and feet. The eggs were nin^, in 



lOU advp:ntures of the 

number, which Sammons took with him; but on opening one, 
he found a httle half-made duckling, already alive. Against 
such food his stomach revolted, and he was obliged to throw the 
eggs away. 

" On the tenth day, he came to a small lake. His feet were 
now in such a horrible state, that he could scarcely crawl along 
Finding a mitigation of pain, by bathing them in water, he 
plunged his feet into the lake, and lay down upon its margin 
For a time it seemed as though he could never rise upon his feet 
again. Worn down by hunger and fatigue — bruised in body and 
wounded in spirit — in a lone wilderness, with no eye to pity and 
no human act to protect — he felt as though he must remain in 
that spot until it should please God, in his goodness, to quench the 
dim spark of life that remained. Still he was comforted in some 
measure, by the thought that he was in the hands of a Being 
without whose knowledge, not a sparrow falls to the ground. 

" Refreshed at length, though to a trifling degree, he resumed 
his weary way, when on raising his right leg on the trunk of a 
fallen tree he was bitten in the calf by a rattlesnake. Quick as 
a flash, with his pocket knife, he made an inscision in his leg, 
removing the wounded flesh to a greater depth than the fangs of 
the serpent had penetrated. His next business was to kill the 
venemous reptile, and dress it for gating ; thus appropriating the 
enemy that had sought to take his life, to its prolongation. His 
first meal was made from the heart and fat of the serpent. Fee! 
ing somewhat strengthened by the repast, and finding, moreove) 
that he could not travel farther in his present condition, he detej 
mined to remain where he was for a few days, and by repose, 
and feeding on the body of the snake, recruit his strength. Dis- 
covering also, a dry fungus upon the trunk of a maple tree, he 



BROTHERS SA>xMONS. 101 

suocoecled in striking a fire, by which, his comforts were essen- 
tially increased. Still he was obliged to creep upon his hands 
and knees to gather food, and gather fuel, and on the third day, 
he was in such a state of exhaustion, as to be utterly unable to 
proceed. Supposing that death was inevitable and very near, he 
crawled to the foot of a tree, upon the bark of which he com- 
menced inscribing his name — in the expectation that he should 
leave his bones there, and in the hopes that, in some way, by the 
aid of the inscription, his family might ultimately be apprised of 
his fate. While engaged in this sad work, a cloud of painful 
thoughts crowded upon his mind; the tears involuntary stole 
down his cheeks, and before he had completed the melancholy 
task, he fell asleep. 

" On the fourth day of his residence at this place, he began to 
gain strength, and as a i>art of the serpent yet remained, he deter- 
mined upon another effort to resume his journey. But he could 
not do so without devising some substitute for shoes. For this 
purpose he cut up his hat and waistcoat, binding them upon his 
feet — and thus he hobbled along. On the following night, while 
lying in tlie woods, he became strongly impressed Avith a belief 
that he was not far distant from a human habitation. He had 
seen no indications of proximity to the abode of man ; but never- 
theless, he was so confident of the fact, that he wept with joy. 
Buoyed up and strengthened by this impression, he resumed hia 
journey on the following morning ; and in the afternoon, it being 
the 28th of June, he reached a house in the town of Pittsford, in 
the New Hampshire Grants — now forming the state of Vermont. 
He remained there for several days, both to recruit his health, 
and if possible, to gain intelligence of his brother. But no tidino-s 
came ; and as he knew Frederick to be a capital woodsman, he, 



102 NARRATIVE OF 

of course, concluded tliat sickness, death, or recapture, must havo 
interrupted Lis journey. Procuring a conveyance, Jacob traveled 
to Albany, and thence to Schenectady, where he had the happi- 
ness of finding his Tvife and family." 

NARRATIVE OF FREDERICK SAMMONS. 

" Not less interesting, nor marked by fewer vicissitudes were 
the adventures of Frederick Sammons. The flight from tne fort 
at Chamblee, was made just before sunset, which accounts for the 
chase having been abandoned so soon. On entering the edge of 
the woods, Frederick encountered a party of Indians, returning to 
the fort, from fatigue duty. Perceiving that he was a fugitive, 
they fired, and called out — ' we have got him !' In this opinion, 
however, they were mistaken ; for, although he had run close 
upon before perceiving them, yet being like Ashael of old, swift 
of foot, by turning a short corner, and increasing his speed, in ten 
minutes he was entirely cleared of the party. He then sat down 
to rest, the blood gushing from his nose, in consequence of the 
extent to which his physical powers had been taxed. At the 
time appointed, he also had repaired to the point, which, at his 
separation from Jacob, had been agreed upon as the place of 
meeting. The moon shone brightly, and he called loud and often 
for his brother — so loud indeed, that the guard was turned out in 
consequence. His anxiety was very great for his brother's safety ; 
but in ignorance of his situation, he was obliged to attend to his 
own. He determined, however, to approach the fort — so near it, 
at least, as he could \enture — and in the event of meeting any 
one, disguise his own character by inquiring whether the rebels 
Imd been taken. But a flash from the sentinel's musket, the re- 
oort, and *iie noise of a second pursuit, compelled him to change 



FREDERICK SAMMONS. 1 3 

the direction of his marcli, and proceed again witK all possible 
speed.. It had been determined by the brothers to cross the 
Sorel, and return on the east side of the river and lake ; but 
there was a misunderstanding between them, as to the point of 
crossing the river — whether above or below the fort. Frederick 
repah'ed to what he supposed to be the designated place of cross 
ing, below the fort, where he lingered for his brother until neai 
morning. At length, having found a boat, he crossed over to tho 
eastern shore, and landed just at the cock crowing. He pro- 
ceeded directly to the barn where the supposed chanticleer had 
raised his voice, but found not a fowl on the premises. The sheep 
looked too poor by the dim twilight, to serve his purpose of food, 
but a bullock presenting a more favorable appearance, Frederick 
succeeded in cutting the unsuspecting animal's throat, and sever 
ing one of the hind quarters from the carcass, he shouldered and 
marched off with it directly into the forest. Having proceeded 
to a safe and convenient distance, he stopped to dress his beef, 
cutting off what he supposed would be suflScient for the journey, 
and forming a knapsack from the skin, by the aid of bark f)ulled 
from a tree. 

•' Resuming his journey, he arrived at the house of a French 
family, within the distance of five or six miles. Here he made 
bold to enter, for the purpose of procuring bread and salt, and in 
the hope also of obtaining a gun and ammunition. But he could 
neither obtain provisions, nor make the people understand a woi-d 
he uttered. He found means, however, to prepare some tinder, 
with which he re-entered the woods, and hastened forward in a 
southern direction, until he ascertained, by the firing of the even- 
ing guns, that he had passed St. John's. Halting for the niglit, 
he struck a light ; and having kindled a fire, occupied himself till 



104 



NARRATIVE OF 



morning in drying and smoking his beef, oiitting it into slices for 
tliat pin-pose. His knapsack of raw hide was cured by the same 
pi-ocess. Thus prepared, he proceeded onward without interrup- 
tion or adventure, until the third day, when he killed a fawn and 
secured the venison. He crossed the Mirooski, or Onion river, on the 
lext day ; and having discovered a man's name carved upon a tree, 
•ogether with the distance from the lake, (Champlain) eight miles, 
he bent his course for its shores, when he found a canoe with pad- 
dles. There was now a prospect of lessening the fatigue of his 
journey ; but his canoe had scarce begun to dance upon the 
waters, ere it parted asunder, and he was compelled to hasten 
ashore and continue his march by land. 

" At the close of the seventh day, and when, as he supposed, he 
was within two day's travel of settlement, he kindled his fire, and 
lay down to rest in health and spirits. But ere the dawn of day^ 
he awoke with racking pains, which proved to be an attack of 
pleurisy. A drenching rain came on, continuing three days ; 
during which time he lay helpless, in dreadful agony, without 
fire or shelter, or sustenance of any kind. On the fourth day, his 
pain having abated, he attempted to eat a morsel, but his provi- 
sions had become too offensive to be swallo-wed. His thirst being 
intense, he foilunately discovered a pond of water near by, to 
which he crawled. It was a stagnant pool, swarming with frogs — 
another providential circumstance, inasmuch as the latter served 
him for food. Too weak, however, to strike a light, he was com- 
pelled to devour them raw, and without dressing of any kind. 
Unable to proceed, he lay in this wretched condition fourteen 
days. Supposing that he should die there, he succeeded in hang- 
ing his hat upon a pole, with a few papers, in order that, if dis- 
covered, his fate mioht be known. He was lying upon a high 



FRKDERICK SAMMONS. 105 

bluff, in full ^dew of the lake, and at no great distance therefrom. 
The hat, thus elevated, served as a signal, which saved his life. 
A vessel sailing past, descried the hat, and sent a boat ashore to 
ascertain the cause. The boatmen discovered the body of a man 
yet living, but senseless and speechless, and transferred him to the 
vessel. By the aid of medical attendance, he was slowly restored 
to his reason, and having informed the captain who he was, had 
the rather uncomfortable satisfaction of learning that he was on 
board of an enemy's ship, and at that moment lying at Crown 
Point. Here he remained sixteen days, in the course of which 
time he had the gratification to hear, from a party of Tories 
coming from the settlements, that his brother Jacob had arrived 
safe at Sche^iectady, and joined his family. He was also apprised 
of Jacob's sufferings, and the bite of the serpent, which took place 
near Otter Creek, close by the place where he had himself been 
so long sick. The brothers were, therefore, near together at the 
time of the greatest peril and endurance of both. 

" Frederick's recovery was very slow. Before he was able to 
walk, he was taken to '*>t. John's, and thence, partly on a wheel- 
barrow and partly in a calash, carried back to his old quarters, at 
Chamblee — experiencing much rough usage by the way. On ar- 
riving at the fortress, the guards saluted him by the title of Cap- 
tain Lightfoot ; and there was srreat joy at his re-capture. It was 
now about the 1st of August. As soon as his health was sufficiently 
recovered to bear it, he was heaWly ironed, and kept in close con- 
finement at that place, until October, 1782 — fourteen months, 
without once beholding the light of the sun. Between St. John's 
nd Chamblee he had met a British officer with whom he was 
acquainted, and by whom he was informed that severe treatment 
would be his portion. Compassionino- his situation, however. 



106 NARRATIVE OF 

the officer slipped a guinea and a couple of dollars into his hand, 
and they moved on. 

" No other prisoners were in irons at Chamblee, and all but 
Sanimons were taken upon the parade gi-ound, twice a week for 
the benefit of fresh air. The ii'ons were so heavy and so tight, as 
to weai' into the flesh of his legs ; and so incensed was Captain 
Steele, the officer of the 32 regiment, yet commanding the garri 
son at Chamblee, at the escape of his prisoner, that lie would not 
allow the surgeon to )-emove the irons to dress the wounds, of 
which they were the cause, until a peremptory order was pro- 
cured for that purpose, from General St. Leger, who was then at 
St. John's. The humanity of the surgeon prompted this applica- 
tion of his own accord. Even then, however, Steele would only 
allow the leg bolts to be knocked off — still keeping on the hand- 
cuffs. The dressing of his legs was a severe operation. The iron 
had eaten to the bone, and the grangrened flesh was of course to 
be removed. One of the legs ultimately healed up, but the othe^ 
never became entirely well. 

" In the month of November, 1781, the prisoners were trans- 
ferred from Chamblee, to an island in the St. Lawrence, called, at 
that time. Prison Island — situated in the rapids, some distance 
above Montreal. Sammons was compelled to travel in his liand- 
cufts, but the other prisoners were not thus encumbered. There 
were about two hundred prisoners on the island, all of whom 
were very closely guarded. In the spring of 1782, Sammons or- 
ganized a conspiracy with nine of his fellow prisoners, to make 
their escape, by seizing a provision boat, and had well nigh 
effected then- object. Being discovered, however, their puri)0se 
was defeated, and Sammons, as the ringleader, once more placed 



FREDERICK SAMMONS. 107 

m irons. But at the end of five weeks, the irons were removed, 

and he was allowed to return to his hut. 

"Impatient of such protracted capti^dty, Frederick was still 

bent on escaping, for which purpose he induced a fellow prisoner, 
by the name of M'Mullen, to join him in the daring exploit of 
seeking an opportunity to plunge into the river, and taking their 
chance of swimming to the shore. A favorable moment for at- 
tempting the bold adventure, was afforded on the 1 7th of August. 
The prisoners having, to the number of fifty, been allowed to 
walk to the foot of the island, but around the whole of which a 
chain of sentinels was extended, Sammons and M'Mullen, withou( 
ha\dng conferred with any one else, watching an opportunity 
when the nearest sentinel turned his back upon them, quietly 
glided down beneath a shehang rock, and plunged into the 
stream — each holding up and waving a hand, in token of fare- 
well to their fellow prisoners, as the surge swept them rapidly 
down the stream. The sentinel was distant about six rods when 
they threw themselves into the river, and did not discover their 
escape until they were beyond the reach of any molestation he 
could offer them. Three quarters of a mile below the island, the 
rapids were such as to heave the river into swell, too large for 
boats to encounter. This was a frightful part of their voyage. 
Both, however, were expert swimmers, and by diving as they ap- 
proached each successive surge, both succeeded in making the 
perilous passage — the distance of this rapid being about one 
hundred and fifty rods. As they plunged successively into these 
rapids, they had little expectation of meeting each other again in 
this world. But a protecting Providence ordered it otherwise 
and they emerged from the frightful billows quite near each other. 

I am glad to see vou,' said Sammons to his friend ; ' I feared we 



108 NARRATIVE OF 

sliould not meet again.' ' We liave bad a merry ride of it,' ro 
plied the other; 'but we could not have stood it much longer. 
"The adventurous fellows attempted to land about two miles 
below the island, but the current was so violent as to baffle their 
purpose, and they were driven two miles farther, when they hap- 
pily succeeded in reaching the land, at a place on the north side 
of the St. La^vl•ence, called by the Canadians ' The De\drs Point.' 
A cluster of houses stood near the river, into some of which it 
was necessary the fugitives should go to procure provisions. 
They had preserved each a knife and tinder-box in their waist- 
coat pockets, and one of the first objects, after arming themselves 
with substantial clubs, was to procure a supply of tinder. This 
was effected by boldly entering a house and rummaging an old 
lady's work-basket. The good woman, frightened at the appear- 
ance of the visitors, ran out and alarmed the village — the inhab- 
itants of which were French. In the meantime, they searched the 
house for provisions, fire-arms, and ammunition, but found none 
of the latter, and only a single loaf of bread. They also plun- 
dered the house of a blanket, blanket-coat, and a few other arti- 
cles of clothing. By this time, the people began to collect in such 
numbers, that a precipitate retreat was deemed advisable. 
M'^luUen, being seized by two Canadians, was only released from 
their grasp by the well-directed blows of Frederick's club. They 
both then commenced running for the woods, when Sammons, 
encumbered with his luggage, unluckily fell, and the loaf rolled 
away from him. The peasants now rushed upon them, and their 
only course was to give battle, which they prepared to do in earn- 
est; whereupon, seeing their resolution, the pursuers retreated 
almost as rapidly as they advanced. This demonstration gave tlie 
fugitives time to collect and arrange their.plunder, and commence 



FREDERICK SAMMONS. 109 

their travels anew. Taking to the woods, they found a resting 
place, where they halted until nightfall. They then sallied forth 
once more in search of provisions, with which it was necessary to 
]:>rovide themselves, before coming to the south side of the river, 
where, at that day, there were no settlements. The cattle tied at 
their approach ; but they at length came upon a calf in a farm- 
yard, which they captured, and appropriating to their own use 
and behoof a canoe moored in the river, they embarked with their 
prize, to cross over to the southern shore, but alas ! when in the 
middle of the stream, their paddle broke, and they were in a mea- 
sure left to the mercy of the flood, which was hurrying them on- 
ward, as they well knew, toward the rapids or falls of the Cedars. 
There was an island above the rapids, from the bank of which a 
tree had fallen into the river. Fortunately, the canoe was swept 
by the current into the branches of this tree top, among which it 
became entangled. While struggling in this predicament, the 
canoe was upset. Being near shore, however, the navigators got 
to land without losing the calf. Striking a fire, they now dressed 
their veal, and on the following morning, by towing their canoe 
along shore, to the south edge of the island, succeeded in crossing 
to their own side of the river. They then plunged directly into 
the unbroken forest, extending from the St. Lawrence to the Sa- 
condaga, and after a journey of twelve days of excessive hardship, 
emerged from the woods within six miles of the point for which 
without chart or compass, Sammons had laid his course. Their 
provisions lasted but a few days, and their only subsequent food 
consisted of roots and herbs. The whole journey was made almost 
n a state of nudity — both being destitute of pantaloons. Having 
worn out their hats u]ion their feet, the last three days they were 
comt^elled to travel bare-footed. Long before their journey was 



TIO DEBORAH SAMSON 

ended, therefore, their feet were dreadfully lacerated and swollen. 
On arriving at Schenectady the inhabitants were alarmed at their 
wild and savage appearance — half naked, vnth lengthened beards 
and matted hair. The people at length gathered round them 
with strange curiosity ; but when they made themselves known, a 
lady named Ellis, rushed through the crowd to grasp the hand of 
Frederick, and was so much affected at his altered appearance 
that she fainted and fell. The welcome fugitives were forthwith 
supplied with whatever food and raiment was necessary ; and 
young Sammons soon joined his family, who had long given him 
up as lost, and who now received him with unspeakable joy, as 
one who had arisen from the dead." 

Jacob Sammons died in 1810. Frederick and Thomas Sam- 
mons have since figured in the affairs of their country. Thomas 
for several years, represented his native county, Montgomery, in 
Congress ; and in 1836, Frederick was chosen as elector for Presi- 
dent and Vice President. A few years since, they were both 
alive, and were highly respected, and " prosperous gentlemen." 



DEBORAH SAMSON. 

It is not generally known that in the war of Independence 
there figured a character of scarcely less romantic interest than 
the maid of old whose name so abounds in song and history. 

Deborah Samson was the daughter of obscure parents in Ply 
mouth, Massachusetts. Poverty and e^^l example accompanied 
her childhood, but charity interfered, and the young girl was res- 
cue<l from a position that threatened her with misery and placed 



DEBORAH SAMSON. Ill 

with those from whom she received kindly treatment and every 
physical comfort. But her education was neglected. She, how- 
ever, began to feel her inferiority in this point, and made every 
exertion in acquiring knowledge. By her own unaided exertions 
she succeeded in learning to read tolerably well. When her term 
of apprenticeship expired, she went into ser\ace, but as her main 
object was to acquire an education, she made an arrangement 
whereby she was to devote but half of her time in return for her 
board and clothing, and the remainder to an attendance upon the 
common district school. Here she progressed in her studies with 
great rapidity, and evinced a superior mind in her appetite for 
knowledge, and her determination to procure it in the face of all 
obstacles. 

" Meantime the Revolutionary struggle had commenced. The 
gloom that had accompanied the outburst of the storm, hung over 
the whole land ; the news of the carnage on the plains of Lexing- 
ton ; the sound of the cannon at Bunker's Hill, had reached every 
dwelling and vibrated on the heart of every patriot in New Eng- 
land. The zeal which had urged the men to quit their homes for 
the battle field, found its way to a female bosom ; Deborah felt as 
if she would shrink from no effort or sacrifice in the cause which 
awakened all her enthusiasm. She entered with the most lively 
interest into every plan for the relief of the army, and bitterly 
regretted that, as a woman, she could do no more, and that she 
had not the pri\nlege of a man, of shedding her blood for her 
country. 

"There is no reason to believe that any consideraticn foreign to 
the purest patriotism, impelled her to the resolution of assuming 
male attire and enlisting in the army. She could have been ac- 
tuated by no desire of gaining apy)lause ; for the pvivate manner 



112 DEBORAH SAMSON. 

in which she quitted her home and associates, entrusting no one 
with her design, subjected her to surmises of a painful nature ; 
and the careful preservation of her secret during the period of 
her military service, exonerates her from the least suspicion of 
ha\ang been urged to the step by an imprudent attachment. It 
is very likely that her youthful imagination was kindled by the 
rumor of brave deeds, and that her \nsions of ' the camp's stir and 
crowd and ceaseless 'larum' were colored richly by the hue of fancy. 
Curiosity to see and partake of this varied war-life, the restlessness 
of ' a heart unsouled and solitary ' — the consuming of energies 
which had no object to work upon, may have contributed to the 
forming of her determinatian. It must be borne in mind, too, 
that she was restrained by no consideration that could interfere 
with the project. Alone in the world, there were few to inquire 
what had become of her, and still fewer to care for her fate. She 
felt herself accountable to no human being. 

"By keeping the district school for a summer term, she had 
amassed the sum of twelve dollars. She purchased a quantity of 
coarse fustian, and working at intervals when she could be secure 
from observation, made up a suit of men's clothing ; each article, 
as it was finished, being hid in a stack of hay. Having completed 
her preparations, she announced her intention of going where she 
could obtain better wages for her labor. Her new clothes, and 
such articles as she wished to take with her, were tied in a bundle. 
The lonely girl departed ; but went not far, probably only to the 
helter of the nearest Avood, before putting on the disguise she 
was so eager to assume. Although not beautiful, her features 
were animated and pleasing, and her figure, tall for a woman, Avas 
finely proportioned. As a man, she might have been called hand- 



DEBORAH SAMSON. 113 

some ; but her general appearance was exlremel}' prepossessing, 
and her manner calculated to inspire confidence. 

" She now pursued her way to the American army, where she 
presented herself in October, 1778, as a young man anxious to 
join his efforts to those of his countrymen in their endeavors to 
oppose the common enemy. She was received and enrolled in 
the army under the name of Robert Shirtlifte. 

" For three years our heroine appeared in the character of a 
soldier. During this time, her exemplary conduct, and the fidel- 
ity \\ith which her duties were performed, gained the approbation 
and confidence of the oflBcers. She was a volunteer in several 
hazardous enterprises, and was twice wounded, the first time by a 
sword cut on the left side of the head. Many were the adven- 
tures she passed through ; as she herself would often say, volumes 
might be filled with them. Sometimes placed unavoidably in 
circumstances in which she feared detection, she nevertheless es- 
caped without the least suspicion being awakened among her 
comrades. The soldiers were in the habit of calling her 'Molly,' 
in playful allusion to her want of a beard ; but not one of them 
ever dreamed that the gallant youth fighting by their side was in 
reality a female. 

"About four months after her first wound she received another 
severe one, being shot through the shoulder. Her emotion when 
the ball entered she described to be a sickening terror at the pro- 
bability that her sex would be discovered. She felt that death on 
the battle-field were preferable to the shame that would over- 
whelm her, and ardently prayed that the wound might close liei 
earthly campaign. But, strange as it may seem, she esca})ed this 
time also unsuspected ; and soon recovering her strength, was 
able again to take her place at the post of duty and in the deadly 



1 14 DEBORAH SAMSON. 

conflict. Her immunity was not, howev^er, destined long to con- 
tinue — she was seized with a brain fever, then prevalent among 
the soldiers. For the few days that reason struggled against the 
disease, her sufferings were indescribable ; and most terrible of all 
was the dread least consciousness should desert her, and the secre"" 
she had guarded so carefully, be revealed to those around her 
She was carried to the hospital, and there could only ascribe her 
escape to the number of patients, and the negligent manner in 
which they were attended. Her case was considered a hopeless 
one, and she perhaps received less attention on that account. One 
day the physician of the hospital, inquiring — ' How is Robert ?" 
received from the nurse in attendance the answer — ' Poor Bob is 
gone.' The doctor went to the bed, and taking the hand of the 
youth supposed dead, found that the pulse was still feebly beating ; 
attempting to place his hand on the heart, he perceived that a 
bandage was fastened tightly round the heart. This was removed, 
and to his utter astonishment he discovered a female patient, 
where he had least expected one ! 

' This gentleman was Dr. Birney, of Philadelphia. With a pru« 
dence, delicacy and generosity ever afterwards warmly appreciated 
by the unfortunate sufferer, he said not a word of his discovery, 
but paid her every attention, and provided every comfort her 
perilous condition required. As soon as she could be removed 
with safety, he had her taken to his own house, where she could 
receive better caa-e. His family wondered not a little at the un- 
usual interest manifested for the poor invalid soldier. 

" Here occurred one of those romances in real life, which in 
strangeness siu'pass fiction. The doctor had a young and lovely 
niece, an heiress to considerable property, whose compassionate 
feelings led her to join her uncle in bestowing kindness on the 



DEBORAH SAMSON. I 15 

friendless youth. Many censured the uncle's imprudence, in per- 
mitting them to be so much in each other's society, and to take 
drives so frequent together. The doctor laughed to himself, at 
the warnings and hints he received, and thought how foolish the 
censorious would feel, when the truth should come out. His 
knowledge, meanwhile, was buried in his own bosom, nor shared 
even with the members of his family. The niece was allowed to 
be as much with the invalid as suited her pleasure. Her gentle 
heart was touched, by the misfortunes she had contributed to 
alleviate ; the pale and melancholy soldier, for whose fate no one 
seemed to care, who had no possession in the world save his sword, 
who had suffered so much in the cause of liberty, became dear to 
her. She saw his gratitude for the benefits and kindness received, 
yet knew by intuition, that he would never dare to aspire to the 
hand of one so gifted in fortune. In the confiding abandonment 
of woman's love, the fair girl made known her attachment, and 
offered to provide for the education of its object, before marriage. 
Deborah often declared, that the moment in which she learned 
that she had unwillingly gained the love of a being so guileless, 
was fraught with the keenest anguish she ever experienced. In 
return for the hospitality and tender care, that had been lavished 
upon her, she had inflicted pain upon one she would have died to 
shield. No way of amends seemed open, except confession of her 
real character, and to that, though impelled by remorse and self- 
reproach, she could not bring herself. She merely said to the 
generous girl that they would meet again ; and though ardently 
desiring the possession of an education, that she could not avail 
herself of the noble offer. Before her departure, the young lady 
pressed on her acquaintance, several articles of clothing, such as 
in those times, many of the soldiers received from fair hands. All 



116 DEBORAH SAMSON. 

these were afterwards lost, by tlie upsetting of a boat, except the 
shu't and vest Robert had on at the time, which are still preserved 
as relics in the family. 

" Her health being now restored, the physician had a long con- 
ference ^^ith the commanding officer of the company in which 
Robert had served, and this was followed by an order to the youth 
to carry a letter to General Washington. 

" Her worst fears were now confirmed. From the time of her 
removal into the doctor's family, she had cherished a misgiving ; 
which sometimes amounted almost to a certainty, that he had 
discovered her deception. In conversation with him, she anxiously 
watched his countenance, but not a word or look indicated sus- 
picion, and she had again flattered herself that she was safe from 
detection. ^Vhen the order came for her to deliver a letter into 
the hands of the commander-in-chief, she could no longer deceive 
herself. 

" There remained no course but simple obedience. ^Vlien she 
presented herself fo.i admission at the head-quarters of Washing- 
ton, she trembled as she had never done before the enemy's fire. 
Her heart sank within her ; she strove in vain to collect and com- 
pose herself, and overpowered with dread and uncertainty, was 
usherd into the presence of the Chief. He noticed her extreme 
agitation, and supposing it to proceed from diffidence, kindly en- 
deavored to re-assure her. He then bade her retire with an at- 
tendant, who was directed to off"er her some refreshment, while 
he read the communication of which she had been the bearer. 

" Within a short time, she was again summoned into the pres- 
ence of Washington. He said not a word, but handed her in 
silence a discharge from the service, putting into her haul at the 
same time, a note containino- a few brief words of advice. ;ind a 



JOSEPH BETTYS. 1J7 

smn of money sufficient to bear lier exj^ensers to some place whei-e 
she might find a home. The cleHcacy and forbearance thus ol»- 
served, affected her sensibly. ' How thankful' — she has often 
said, ' was I to that great and good man, who so kindly spared 
my feelings ! He saw me ready to sink with shame ; one word 
from him at that moment, would have crushed me to the earth, 
But he spoke no word — and I blessed him.' 

" After the war, she married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon. — 
It is but a few years since, she passed from the stage of human 
life. Her career to which her patriotism urged her, cannot be 
commended as an example : but her exemplary conduct after the 
first step, will go far to plead her excuse."* 



JOSEPH BETTYS. 

J osEPH, or " Joe Bettys," was a remarkable character, who fig- 
ured in the border wars of the revolution. He was a renegade 
from the American army, and for a long while was the scourge 
of the New York frontier ; his deeds were marked by an equal 
boldness and cruelty, that made him the tei'rorof all who had the 
misfortune to be ranked as his enemies. His principal employ- 
ment, was the abduction of citizens to be conveyed into Canada, 
for each of whom he received a bounty ; and in his expeditions 
for this purpose, he was always accompanied by small bodies of 
Indians. His hour for executing his projects, was at night, and it 
frequently happened that his conduct v/as not confined to tho 

* Mrs. Ellett 



118 JOSEPH BETTYS. 

securing of prisoners, but lie often revelled in the destruction of 
property and the infliction of cruelty, and his victims were often 
tormented by every means his savage ingenuity could devise. 
Cold blooded murder, and reckless barbarities of every kind, con 
tinually stained his soul. The section of country which suffered 
from his marauding expiditions, to this day is rife with stories of 
his daring and ferocity. 

In the year 1776, he entered as sergeant in the New York 
forces, in which capacity he served his country faithfully, until 
being exasperated at the treatment, which he received from one 
of his superior officers, and retorting with threats and menances, 
he was reduced to the position of a common sentinel. This was 
jnore than he could bear, and he would have deserted, had not 
Lieutenant Ball, who had before befriended him, anticipating such 
a step, applied and procured for him, appointment as sergeant on 
board on one of the vessels on Lake Champlain, commanded by 
Arnold, which he accepted. Li an action that ensued, Bettys 
displayed a wonderful daring and gallantry, which receiving no 
other notice than the thanks of his General, he conceived himself 
slighted, and determined to retahate. In the spring of 17*77, he 
deserted, and went over to the British forces, where he was soon 
elevated to the position of a spy, in which character he carried on 
the depredations we have spoken of. 

Among the prisoners that he secretly seized and carried off in 
the early part of his career, was Samuel Patchim, afterwards a 
captain in the army. The account of his captivity and subsequent 
hard -ships, as here given, is as it was related by himself: — 

" I was captured by Bettys, taken into Canada, and confined 
in Chimblee prison, in irons. I was the only prisoner whom he 
lad on this occasion brouo;ht into Canada. There were six or 



JOSEPH BETTYS. 119 

seven raore of ray neighbors, when we started, to whom he gave 
the oath of allegiance, and sent them back. As for myself, ho 
said I had served Congress long enough, and that I should now 
serve the king. He wished me to enlist in his company, but soon 
found that this was not agreeable to my feelings. He then swore, 
that if I would not serve the king, I should remain in irons. 1 
was confined in Chamblee prison four months ; then I was re- 
moved to Montreal, and thence to an island, forty-five miles up 
the St. Lawrence, opposite Cadalake Fort. There I remained 
about one year. There w-^re five prisoners in all, and we were 
guarded by sixty soldiers ! seven sentinels at night. 

" They had left no boats on the island by which we might 
make our escape, yet we all crawled out of the barracks at night, 
and went to the river side, there we made a raft by means of two 
or three logs and our suspenders, on which we sailed down the 
river five miles, when we landed on the Canada shore. There we 
appropriated to our own use, a boat belonging to the British, and 
crossed over to the American shore. While going down the 
rapids, we had lost our little stock of provisions; and for eight 
days out of twelve which we spent in the woods, we had nothing 
to eat save frogs, and rattlesnakes, and not half enough of them. 
We were chased eight days by the Indians, and slept every night 
on the boughs of some hemlock trees. At length we arrived at 
Northwest Bay, on Lake Champlain, when my co-npanions, un- 
able longer to travel, ut'terly gave out. I then constructed a raft 
)u which to cross the lake, and having stripped my companions 
of their clothing, in order to make myself comfortable, left them 
to die of hunger and fatigue, and committed myself to the wintry 
waves. When in about the centre of the lake, I was taken by 
the crew of a British ship, and conveyed to St. John's, from thence 



120 JOSEPH BETTYS. 

to Quebec, and finally to Boston, where I was exchanged and 
sent home." 

Bettys seemed to have a particular delight in taking prisoners 
among his own townsmen, and especially those against whom he 
held any grudge. On one occasion, having taken one whom 
he supposed to be the object he sought, and his prisoner mana- 
ging to escape, he deliberately shot him dead, and then discovered 
that he had made a fatal mistake, and killed one of his best 
friends. 

But his bloody career was destined to find a retributive end. 
One day, in the winter of 1781-2, a suspicious looking person 
was seen to pass oyer the farm of one John Fulmer, situated near 
Ballston Lake, in Albany county. A son of the farmer, Jacob, 
immediately obtained the aid of three of his neighbors, James 
and John Cory, and Francis Perkins, and started in pursuit of 
the suspicious stranger. There was a light fall of snow on the 
ground, by which means his course was easily tracked. But we 
will give an account of the enterprise in the words, of Jacob Ful- 
mer, one of the party : — 

" The morning had been foggy, and it appeared by the track, 
that the man had made a circuitous route, as if lost or bewildered. 
After making several turns, we came at length in sight of a log 
house, where one Hawkins, a noted tory, lived, toward which it 
appeared, he had laid a regular line. We followed the track, 
and found that it went into the house. We approached undis 
covered, for the snow was soft, and our footsteps were not heard. 
We went up to the door, and found it was unfastened, but heard 
people talking within. 

"John Cory, who was the strongest of the party, now went for- 
ward, we following closely behind, and burst open the door. The 



JOSEFH BETTYS. 121 

man, v/lio w;is tlie object of our suspicions and search, sat at the 
table eating his breakfast, with the muzzle of his gun leaning 
U}>on his shoulder, and the breech upon the floor between his 
legs. He grasped his musket and presented it to fire at us, but 
was hindered for a moment to remove the deer skin covering 
from the lock, and that moment lost his life. We seized him, 
took possession of his gun, and also two pistols, which he had in 
his coat pockets, and a common jack-knife. We then bound his 
arms behind him, with a pocket handkei chief, and conveyed him 
to my ftither's house. As yet, we knew not the name of our pris- 
oner, but having asked him, he said. ' my name is Smith.' 

" My mother knew him, and said, ' It is Joe Bettys.' He hung 
his head, and said, ' No, my name is Smith.' My sister Polly 
then came to the door and said, ' This is Joe Bettys — I know him 
well.' She had known him before he went to Canada, as he had 
boarded at Lawrence Van Epps, in Schenectady Patent, while she 
lived in the same house. 

" We then conveyed him to John Cory's house, about a quar- 
ter of a mile distant, where we pinioned him more firmly. He 
sat down in a chair by the fire, and asked permission to smoke 
which was granted, and he then took out his tobacco box, and 
seemed to be engaged in filling his pipe, but as he stooped down, 
under pretence of lighting it, he threw something toward the fire 
which bounded from the forestick and fell upon the hearth. He 
then seized it, and threw it into the fire, before any one could 
prevent. John Cory then snatched it from the fire, with a hand- 
ful of live coals. It was not injured. It was a piece of lead 
about three inches long, and one and a quarter inches wide, 
pressed together, and contained within it, a small piece of paper, 
on which were twenty-six figures, which none of our company 



122 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 

could understand. It also contained an order, drawn on the 
mayor of New York, for thirty pounds sterling, payable on the 
delivery of the sheet-lead and paper enclosed. Bettys showed 
much uneasiness at the loss of the lead, and offered one hundred 
guineas to allow him to burn the paper. This w^e refused, for, 
though w^e did not understand the figures, we well knew the 
character of Bettys, as I had heard- that he had killed two men 
at Shenesborough, near Whitehall, for fear of being betrayed in 
regard to the burning and plundering of a house in.Chaughna- 
waga, and that he was generally known as a spy." 

The nai-i-ative goes on to give the particulars of the journey to 
Albany, and the precautions taken to convey their prisoner safely 
through a district, abounding with tories who were affected to 
Bettys, but no rescue was attempted. 

Much rejoicing was expressed, at the capture of the notorious 
Bettys, and when he was marched through Albany, the people 
gathered in maases to look upon him. In a short time, he was 
brought to trial, on the charge of being a spy, found guilty, con- 
demned, and accordingly executed in the month of April, 1782.* 



MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 

In the town of North Castle, Westchester Co., N. Y., resided 
during the war of Independence, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, a young 
married couple, who were both heart and soul enlisted in the pat- 
riotic cause, and whose best services were devoted to their coun- 

* Prepared from a Paper by Joseph L. Chester, Esq. 



MR AND iMRS. FISHER. 121' 



isan 



try. Mr. Fisher was an efficient and active member of a partis 
band, under Major Paulding, whose confidence and esteem ha 
always enjoyed to an eminent degree, and who by his unflinching 
patriotism, and tbe energy and skill with which he thwarted the 
plans and designs of the tories, made himself particularly obnox- 
ous to them. His active duties as a scout, sometimes kept him 
for months from his home, where his young wife had nothing but 
her heroism of spirit to oppose to the marauding bands that tra- 
versed the " Neutral Ground," and whose creed it was, to make 
war upon women and children indiscriminately. While the high 
minded whig, therefore, was serving his country, in the swamp 
and on the mountain, the wife had to undergo scenes, requiring 
an equal courage and fortitude, with those of his. 

She was one of those women of the revolution, by whose in- 
domitable spirit and active benevolence our armies were often 
held together, and our soldiers encouraged to persevere in the 
glorious course they had begun. She was without fear, and was 
always ready to serve her country, or defend herself, upon any 
emergency. The American soldier, too, often found relief from 
suftering, through her benevolence. She was one of those, who 
attended upon the wounded of White Plains, and administered 
comfort to the dying, and relief to the w^ounded. After this bat- 
tle, when Washington's army was encamped near her residence, 
the commander-in-chief's table was often indebted for many of its 
delicacies, to the prudent attention and care of Mrs. Fisher. 
Washington often expressed his obligations to her in person. 

Many anecdotes are related of her daring. On one occasion, 
a favorite colt was stolen, when she mounted a horse and rode 
down to Morrissania, where the loyalists were encamped, and de- 
manded of the English officer in command, the restoration of her 



( MR. AND MRS. FISHKR. 

property. The Englishraan courteously assented, aiid the colt 
being found, it was restored to her. This was considered at the 
time, a most daring expedition. Her route, which was a long one, 
was through a section of country beset with marauders, who were 
never in the habit of hesitating to make war on a woman. 

We remarked that the danger from the marauding tory bands, 
prevented Mr. Fisher from visiting his home, but at long intervals. 
There was one band of tories notorious for its cruelty, headed by 
one Blindberry, a most blood-thirsty wretch, whose memory to 
this day, is only preserved to be execrated. This fellow was the 
terror of the whole community. On one occasion, after having 
been absent for six months, Mr. Fisher's anxiety to see his family, 
became so great, that one evening he cautiously approached the 
house, and was admitted unseen. Late that night, after he had 
retired, steps were heard without, and presently there was a loud 
knocking at the door, with a peremptory summons for it to be 
opened. This not being heeded, it was repeated, with a threat 
to break open the door, if it was not complied with. The house 
was a simple, old-fashioned cottage, the door opening directly 
into a room, which was used by Mr. Fisher and his wife as a sleep- 
ing room. The party now discharged their pistols three or four 
times through the window, but the balls lodged harmlessly in the 
walls. This proceeding effecting nothing, they began at once to 
demolish the door, and in a few moments they burst roughly into 
the room. Mr. Fisher sprang from the bed, prepared to defend 
his wife and himself to the last. But the only object of this band 
was plunder. In those times, the country people were compelled 
to conver*, their effects into money, as everything moveable, would 
be sure to be captured, and h/ivdng no means of investing their 
wealth, it was generally concealed in secure places. But these 



MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 



125 



concealments rarely availed them anything, if their persons 
should fell into the hands of the tories, as every means of torture 
that ingenuity could suggest, was availed of to force the hapless 
victims to betray the hiding place of their wealth. Hanging, 
roasiirig over slow fires, or a pistol at the head, were the usual 
modes adopted. 

The tory leader who was no other than this same Blindberry 
demanded of Mr. Fisher his gold. The stern patriot, who was a 
man of unconquerable will, calmly refused. The mauraders became 
enraged, and he was threatened with death if he persisted in his 
denial. But neither the flashing swords that gleamed around 
him, the musket at his breast, nor the furious aspects of the 
wretches, could move him a jot from his determined purpose 
The word was given to try. hanging. In an instant a rope was 
thrown over the branch of a tree, that stood by the door, and their 
victim was drawn beneath it, and the rope adjusted to his neck. 
Once more he was asked to give up his money. Without the 
tremor of a muscle he refused. The next moment he was dang- 
ling high up in the air. He was allowed to suspend for a few 
seconds, and lowered to the ground. His reply to the same ques- 
tion was given, in an undaunted refusal. Again did his tormen- 
tors run him up into the air ; but when they again lowered him, 
he had fainted. In a few moments, however, he revived, and as 
the knowledge of the affair gradually broke upon his mind, he 
hundered out, " No, not a farthing !" Once more did the 
wi-etches swing him off, and this time he was kept suspended un- 
til they thought he was dead, when they lowered him, and seeing 
now no chance of obtaining the coveted gold, they departed. 

The agony of the wife during this scene, can only be imagined. 
A. tory was stationed by her side, and with a pistol at her head, 



126 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 

enjoined silence on the penalty of lier life. In tliose few rniniiiea 
were crowded a life of torture and suffering. When they had 
gone, she tremblingly stole out to the side of her husband, and 
with what little strength she possessed, dragged his lifeless form 
into the house. With the vague hope that he might not be dead, 
she applied restoratives, and soon had the unspeakable joy of de- 
tecting signs of life. Ere morning, he was entirely restored, and 
that very day joined his scout. 

Continuing their route, the tories fell upon several other of the 
neighbors, all of whom suffered some cruelty at their hands. At 
one house they placed its master in a chair, tied him down, and 
built a fire under him, by which means he was at last compelled 
by his unsupportable agony, to reveal the hiding place of his gold. 
But a terrible retribution was preparing for them. Major Pauld- 
ing had gathered a party of his men, and were in hot pursuit of 
them. As the Major was following up their track, he stopped at 
the residence of Mr. Wright, an old Quaker, who felt a strong 
sympathy for the American cause, but whose principles prevented 
him from taking an active part in the contest. To the inquiry if 
such a party of tories as has been described, was seen, the Quaker 
replied in the affirmative, pointing out the course they had taken. 
" What do you say, my men," said the Major to his followers, 
" shall we folloAV them up ?" A unanimous assent was given. 

" Jonathan, if thee wishes to see those men," said Mr. Wright 
approaching Major Paulding, with a knowing look, "if thee 
wishes to see them particular, would it not be better for thee to 
go to " Brundage's Corner," as they are most likely from the 
north, and will return that way. There thee can'st see them 
dthout doubt." 



MR. AND MRS. FISITEK 



12- 



The slu-ewd insinuation of the Quaker, was caught in an instant 
The place referred to, afforded a most admirable place for an am- 
•^uscade, and by secreting themselves there, the enemy was cer- 
tain to fall into their hands. 

The whigs had not been concealed long, ere the party was 
heard approaching. At the signal, the patriots sprang forward 
and discharged their weapons. At the very first fire, the blood 
thirsty tory leader fell, some said from a bullet discharged by the 
hand of Major Paulding himself. 

The intense hatred felt by the people toward Blindberry, and 
the universal joy manifested at his fall, prompted some to make 
a public rejoicing on the event, and in order to express their un- 
compromising hostility to their foe, his body was hung before the 
assembled patriots of the district, amid their jeers and expressions 
of pleasure. Among the assembly was Mr. Fisher, who but a few 
hours before had so nearly fallen a victim to his cruelty. 

Some little time after the preceding events, while Mr. Fisher 
v/as on another visit to his family, sudden word was brought, that 
the tories were approaching. This, as before, was during the 
night. Mr. Fisher had reason to suppose, that the object of this 
party, was to secure his person, and it became necessary to obtain 
a place of concealment. The most advantageous one that offered, 
was beneath the flooring, which was loose, where was ample 
room for him, and where it was hoped, the tories would not think 
of looking for their enemy. Scarcely had he secreted himself, 
when the tories appeared. They burst into the presence of Mrs 
Fisher, in a boisterous manner, and with brutal jests and extrava 
gant threats, demanded to be informed, where her husband was. 
To these inquiries, the undaunted woman deigned no reply. 
" Come, give us a light," said the leader, " that we may ferret 



128 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 

out your rebel husband's hiding place. I'll swear, that you've 
iTot him stowed away somewhere nere." 

" I have no light," was the calm reply. The difficulties of pro- 
curing stores, sometimes left whig families for weeks without the 
common necessities. 

" Come my woman, none of that !" broke in the tory ; " a light 
we want, and a light we must have, so bring out your candles !" 

" I have none," reiterated Mrs. Fisher. 

The tory, with an oath, drew a pistol, cocked it, and coming up 
to her, placed the muzzle in her face. " Look here, my lady," 
said he, " we know that you've got your d d rebel of a hus- 
band somewhere about here, and if you don't at once give us a 
candle, so that we may hunt out his hiding place, I'll blow your 
brains out." 

" I have told you," replied the lady, " that I have no candle ; I 
cannot give you one, so you may blow my brains out the moment 
you please." The heroic spirit that breathed in her words, and 
the firm look from her undaunted eye, convinced the tory that 
zhe was not to be intimidated. They were compelled to make 
their search in the dark. After rummaging into every nook and 
corner in vain, they gave up their object. On several other occa- 
sions, Mr. Fisher had similar narrow escapes. 

We cannot refrain from referring to one enterprise in which 
Mr. Fisher was engaged, by which means fifteen whigs put to 
flight, over three hundred Hessians. The news of their approach 
was spread abroad, and the utmost consternation prevailed. The 
Hessians were always held in great terror by the country people. 
On this occasion, they fled at their approach into the forests and 
other secure ftistnesses. Coney Hill, was tlie usual place of re- 
treat on these alarms. This was a hill somewhat off" from tlie 



MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 129 

tujtin roads, and which was surrounded by narrow defiles, and 
reached only through dense thickets, while its rocky and irregular 
surface, afforded a means of defence impregnable. No fortress 
could have been more secure. All the inhabitants, therefore, re- 
treated to this fastness, Mrs. Fisher alone of all neighbors, ven- 
turing to remain Avithin her own house. 

The usual road traveled by the armies, that led north from 
White Plains, in one place described a wide circuit, but there was 
a narrow, irregular road, sometimes used, that shortened the dis- 
tance considerably. But this road was very dangerous to any 
large body of men. It led by the Coney Hill, which we have 
mentioned, and its whole length was through a rocky region, 
overgrown with tangled thickets of laurel, that would have af- 
forded effectual protection and concealment to a body of assailants, 
and have made a small force formidable to a large one. 

At a point on this road, therefore. Major Paulding and fifteen 
followers stationed themselves, with a belief, that from the irregu- 
lar and incautious manner the Hessians were marching, they 
would be induced to lessen their route, by taking the shorter cut. 
The belief proved to be well founded. The spot where Major 
Paulding posted his ambuscade, was one remarkably w^ell adapted 
to that kind of warfare. It was, where the road passing through 
a defile, made a sudden turn around t huge rock, and where it 
was so narrow, that six men could not pass abreast, while the 
whole rising ground on either side was irregular, with rough, 
jagged rocks, and covered with a dense growth of laurel. 

Stationed at different points, and protected by rocky battle- 
nents, the little band quietly awaited the coming of their enemy. 
At last they appeared, approaching carelessly, and with an utter 
want of military prudence. Not a sound, nor a breath betrayed 



130 



MR. AND MRS FISHER. 



to them, the presence of a foe. The rocks, and laurel bushes, 
gave forth no sign of the deadly messengers to be launched from 
their bosoms. Part of the Hessians had already passed the turn 
of the road, when suddenly, like a clap of thunder from an azure 
sky, an explosion burst from the flinty rocks that surrounded 
them, and several of their number, pitched headlong to the earth 
Those in front, panic struck, fell back upon those in the rear 
while those in the rear pressed forward, uncertain of the danger, 
and discharged their muskets into the thickets, b'lt the bullets re- 
bounded harmlessly from the rocky walls, that enclosed their 
enemy. Another volley completed their panic. Terrified at the 
presence of an enemy, that seemed to fight from the bowels of 
the earth, and unable to estimate the full extent of their danger, 
which their imagination greatly magnified, they gave a wild cry, 
and fled precipitately. 

This event aftbrded the whigs for a long time, much merriment, 
particularly as it was accompanied with no loss to the little party, 
who had sfiven the Hessians their terrible frio-ht. Mrs. Fisher was 
accustomed to give an amusing relation of the manner they ap 
peared, as they flew by her house, each running at his utmost 
speed, with the tin cannisters and other numerous accoutrements 
with which the Hessian soldiers were always so plentifully pro- 
vided — flying out in a straight line behind them. 

The follo^ving incident, admirably illustrates the presence ol 
mind, and the many resources of this courageous lady. One day> 
a whig neighbor burst hastily into her presence, saying, that he 
was pursued by a body of tories, and if not concealed immediately, 
he was lost. It did not take a moment for Mrs. Fisher to decide 
upon her course. There was a large ash heap just out of the 
back door, some four or five feet in height, and as many long. 



MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 131 

Seizing a shovel, she hastened to the spot, and in a moment a 
sufficient excavation was made, into which the fugitive crawled, 
and Mrs. Fisher covered him with the ashes, first taking ihe pre- 
caution to procure a quantity of quills, which she placed one into 
the other, so as to form a continuous tube, through which the miai 
could breathe, while remaining in his novel situation. Scarcely 
was all this accomplished, when the pursuers appeared, and ques- 
tioned Mrs. Fisher sharply, at the same time examining the house 
and grounds. Several times during the search, Mrs. Fisher 
thought the hiding place was about to be discovered ; and when 
one of the party walked directly over the ash heap, she gave up 
all for lost. But finding no clue to their enemy, they departed, 
leaving him in safety, and overcome with gratitude to his 
preserver. 

Mr. Fisher survived the war several years, and Mrs. Fisher 
lived until quite recently. She often entertained her descendants 
with stories of the olden time, to one of whom the editor is in- 
debted for the above particulars. 



THRILLING ADVENTURE OF 

LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 

From Mrs. Ellet's " Women of the Revolution," we draw the 
following interesting sketch : 

" When Lord Cornwallis set out from Wilmington, with the 
avowed purpose . of conquering Virginia, he encamDed, en the 
march fi'om Halifax on the Neuse, in what is now called Wayne 
Co., North Carolina. His head-quarters were at Spring-bank 
while Colonel Tarleton, with his renowned legion, eucamped oij 



132 THRILLING ADVENTURE OF 

the plantation of Lieutenant Slociimb. This consisted of leve 
and extensive fields, which at that season presented a most invi 
ting view of fresh verdure from the mansion house. Lord (Jorn- 
wallis himself gave it the name of " Pleasant Green," which it 
ever afterwards retained. The owner of this fine estate, held a 
subaltern's commission iii the state line under Colonel Washing- 
ton, and was in command of a troop of light horse, raised in his 
own neighborhood, whose general duty it was to act as rangers, 
scouring the country for many miles around, watching the move- 
ments of the enemy, and punishing the loyalists when detected 
in their vocation of pillage and murder. These excursions had 
been frequent, for two or three years, and were often of several 
weeks duration. At the present time, Slocumb had returned to 
the vicinity, and had been sent with twelve or fifteen recruits to 
act as scouts in the neighborhood of the British General. The 
morning of the day, on which Tarleton took possession of his plan- 
tation, he was near Springbank, and reconnoitered the encamp- 
ment of Cornwallis, which he supposed to be his whole force. He 
then with his party, pursued his way slowly back in the direction 
of his own house, little dreaming that his beautiful and peaceful 
home, where, sometime before, he had left his wife and child, was 
then in possession of the terrible Tarleton. 

" During these frequent excursions of the rangers, and the 
necessary absence of her husband, the superintendence of the 
plantation had always devolved upon Mrs. Slocumb. She de- 
pended for protection upon her slaves, whose fidelity she had 
proved, and from her own fearless and intrepid spirit. The scene 
of the occupation of her house, and Tarleton's residence with her, 
are dra\vn from her own relation. 

*vlt was about ten o'clock, on q beautiful spring morning, that 



LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 133 

a splendidly dressed officer, accompanied by two aids, and fol- 
lowea at a short distance, by a guard of some twenty troopei-s, 
dashed up to the piazza in front of the ancient-looking mansion. 
Mi-s. Slocumb was sittino- there, with her child and a near rela- 
tive young lady, who afterwards became the wife of Major Wil- 
liams. A few house servants were also on the piazza. 

" The officer raised his cap, and bowing to his horse's neck, ad- 
dressed the lady with the question — 

" ' Have I the pleasure of seeing the mistress of this house and 
plantation V 

" ' It belongs to my husband.' 

" ' Is he at home ?' ' He is not.' ' Is he a rebel V 

" ' No sir. He is in the army of his country, and fightmg 
against our invaders ; therefore not a rebel.' It is not a little sin- 
gular, that although the people of that period gloried in their re- 
bellion, they always took offence at being called rebels 

" ' I fear madam,' said the officer, ' that we differ in opinion. 
A friend to his country, will be a friend of the king, our master.' 

" ' Slaves only acknowledge a master in this country,' replied 
the lady. 

" A deep flush crossed the florid cheeks of Tarleton, for he was 
the speaker ; and turning to one of his aids, he ordered him to 
pitch the tents, and form the encampment in the orchard and field 
on the right. To the other aid, his orders were to detach a quar- 
ter guard, and station piquets on each road. Then bowing very 
low, he added, ' Madam, the service of his Majesty requires the 
temporary occupation of your property ; and if it will not be too 
great an inconvenience, I will take up my quarters in your house.' 

" The tone admitted no controversv. Mrs. Slocumb answered. 



134 THRILLING ADVENTURE OF 

" ' My family consists of only myself, my sister and child, and a. fe 9 
negroes. We are your prisoners.' 

"From the piazza where he seated himself, Tarleton com- 
manded a view of the ground, on which his troops were arranging 
their camp, The mansion fronted the east, and an avenue one 
hundred and fifty feet wide, and about half a mile in length 
stretched to the eastern side of the plantation, where was a high 
way, with open grounds beyond it, partly dry meadow and partly 
sand barren. This avenue was lined on the south side by a high 
fence, and a thick hedge row of forest trees. These are now re- 
moved, and replaced by the ' Pride of India.' and other ornamen- 
tal trees. On the north side, extended the common rail fence, 
seven or eight feet high, such as is usually seen on plantations 
in the low country. The encampment of the British troops being 
on that part of the plantation lying south of the avenue, it was 
completely screened by the fences and hedge row, from the view 
of any one approaching from down the counrtry. 

"While the men were busied, different officers came up at in- 
tervals, making their reports and receiving orders. Among others, 
a tory captain, whom Mrs. Slocumb immediately recognised — for 
before joining the royal army, he had lived fifteen or twenty 
miles below — received orders in her hearing, to take his troop 
and scour the country for two or three miles round. 

" In an hour, every thing was quiet, and the plantation pre- 
sented the romantic spectacle of a regular encampment, of some 
ten or eleven hundred of the choicest cavalry of the British 
Monarch. 

" Mrs. Slocumb now addressed herself to the duty of preparing 
for her uninvited guests. A dinner was prepared, consisting of 
turkej', ham, beef, fowls, with vegetables, fruits, and some excel 



LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 135 

lent peach brandy, prepared under Lieutenant Slocurab's own 
supervision. This latter beverage received the unqualified 
praise of the party ; and its merits were fully discussed. A Scotch 
officer, praising it by the name of whiskey, protested that he had 
never drank as good out of Scotland. An officer speaking with a 
slight brogue, insisted it w^as not whiskey, and that no Scotch 
drink ever equalled it. ' To my mind,' said he, ' it tastes as 
yonder orchard smells.' 

" ' Allow me, madam,' said Tarleton, ' to inquire, where the 
spirits we are drinking is procured V 

" ' From the orchard w^here your tents stand,' answered Mrs. 
Slocumb. 

" ' Colonel,' said the Irish captain, ' when we conquer this 
country, is it not to be divided out amongst us V 

" ' The officers of this army,' replied the Colonel, ' will undoubt- 
edly receive large possessions of the conquered American pro- 
vinces.' 

" Mrs. Slocumb here interposed. * Allow me to observe, and 
prophecy,' said she, ' the only land in the United States, which 
will ever remain in possession of a British officer, will measure but 
six feet by two.' 

" ' Excuse me, madam,' remarked Tarleton, ' for your sake, I 
regret to say — this beautiful plantation will be the ducal seat of 
some of us.' 

" ' Don't trouble yourself about me,' retorted the spirited lady 
' My husband is not a man who vsdll allow a duke, or even a king, 
to have a quiet seat upon his ground.' •^ 

" At this point, the conversation was interrupted by rapid vol- 
leys of fire-arms, appearing to proceed from the wood, a short 
distance to the eastward. One of the aids pronounced it some 



130 THRILLING ADVENTURE OP 

straggling scout, running from the picket-guard ; but the experi 
ence of Colonel Tarleton, could not be easily deceived. 

" ' There are rifles and muskets,' said he, ' as well as pistols ; 
and too many to pass unnoticed. Order boots and saddles, and 
you — captain, take your troop in the direction of the firing.' 

" The ofiicer rushed out to execute his orders, while the Colonel 
walked into the piazza, whither he was immediately followed by 
the anxious ladies. Mrs. Slocumb's agitation and alarm, may be 
imagined ; for she guessed but too well the cause of the interrup- 
tion. On the first arrival of the ofiicers, she had been importuned 
even with harsh threats — not, however, by Tarleton — to tell 
where her husband when absent on duty, was likely to be 
found ; but after her repeated and peremptory refusals, had es- 
caped further molestation on the subject. She feared now that 
he had returned unexpectedly, and might fall into the enemy's 
hands, before he was aware of their presence. 

" Her sole hope, was in a precaution she had adopted soon after 
the coming of her unwelcome guests. Having heard Tarleton 
give the order to the tory captain as before-mentioned, to patrol 
the county, she immediately sent for an old negro, and gave him 
directions to take a bag of corn to the mill, about four miles dis- 
tant, on the road she knew her husband must travel, if he re- 
turned that day. ' Big George' was instructed to warn his master 
of the danger of approaching his home. With the indolence and 
curiosity natural to his race, however, the old fellow remained 
loitering about the premises, and was at this time lurking under 
the hedge row,- admiring the red coats, dashing plumes, and 
hining helmets of the British troops. 

" The colonel and the ladies continued on the look out from the 
piazza. ' May I be allowed, madam,' at length said Tarleton, 



LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. [3" 

* without offence, to inquire if any part of Washington's array ij 
in this neighborhood V 

" ' I presume it is known to you,' said Mrs. Slocumb, ' that the 
Marquis and Greene are in this State. And you would not 
of course,' she added, after a slight pause, ' be surprised at a call 
from Lee, or your old friend Colonel Washington, who although 
a perfect gentleman, it is said, shook your hand, (pointing to the 
scar left by Washington' sabre,) very rudely when last you met.'* 

" This spirited answer inspired Tarleton Avith apprehensions 
that the skirmish in the woods was only the prelude to a con- 
certed attack on his camp. His only reply was a loud order to 
form the troops on the right ; and springing on his charger, he 
dashed down the avenue a few hundred feet, to a breach in the 
hedge-row, leaped the fence, and in a moment was at the head of 
his regiment, which was already in line. 

*' Meanwhile, Lieutenant Slocumb, with John Howell, a private 
in his band, Henry Williams, and the brother of Mrs. Slocumb, 
Charles Hook, a boy of about thirteen years of age, were leading 
a hot pursuit of the tory captain who had been sent to reconnoitre 
the country, and some of his routed troop. These were first dis- 
cerned in the open grounds east and northeast of the plantation, 
closely pursued by a body of American mounted militia ; while ;i 
running fight was kept up with different weapons, in which four 
or five broadswords gleamed conspicuous. The foremost of the 
pursuing party appeared too busy w^th the tories to see anything 
else ; and they entered the avenue at the same moment with the 
party pursued. With what horror and consternation did ISIis. 



* It is said, that in a close encounter between Tarleton and Col. Wash 
injjton, at the battle of the Cowpens, the former was wounded by a sabn. 
cut in the hand. 



l38 THRILLING ADVENTURE OF 

Slocamb recognize her husband, her brother, and two of her 
neighbors, in chase of the tory captain and four of his band, al- 
ready half way down the avenue, and unconscious that they wee 
rushing into the enemy's midst. 

" A bout the middle of the avenue one of the tories fell ; ana 
the course of the brave and imprudent young officers was sud 
J'^,nly arrested by ' Big George,' who sprang directly in front of 
heir horses, crying, ' Hold on Massa ! de debbil here ! Look 
/■on !' A glance to the left showed the young men their danger ; 
chey were mthin pistol shot of a thousand men drawn up in order 
of battle. Wheeling their horses they discovered a troop already 
leaping the fence into the avenue in their rear. Quick as thought 
they again whirled their horses, and dashed down the avenue, di- 
rectly towards the house, where stood the quarter-guard to receive 
them. On reachino; the a^arden fence — a rude structure formed 
of a kind of lath, and called a wattled fence — they leaped that 
and the next, amid a shower of balls from the guard, cleared the 
canal at one tremendous leap, and, scouring across the open field to 
the northwest, were in the shelter of the wood before their pur- 
suers could clear the fence of the enclosure. The whole ground 
of this adventure may be seen as a traveller passes over the Wil- 
mington railroad, a mile and a half south of Dudley depot. 

" A platoon had commenced the pursuit ; but the trumpets 
sounded the recall before the flying Americans had crossed the 
eanal. The presence of mind and lofty language of the heroic 
wife, had convinced the British colonel that the danng men who 
so fearlessly dashed into his camp were supported by a formidable 
force close at hand. Had the truth been known, and the fugi- 
tives pursued, nothing could have prevented the destruction not 



LIEUTENANT S LOCUM B. 139 

only of the four who fled, but of the rest of the company on the 
east side of the phantation. 

" Tarleton had rode back to the front of the house, where he 
remained eagerly looking- after the fugitives till they disappeared 
in the wood. He called for the tory captain, who presently came 
forward, questioned him about the attack, asked the names of the 
American officers, and dismissed him to have his wounds dressed, 
and see after his men. The last part of the order was needless ; 
for nearly one half of his men had fallen. 

" The British oflScers now returned to their peach brandy and 
coffee, and closed the day with a merry night. 

" Slocumb and his companions passed rapidly around the plan- 
tation and returned to the ground where the encounter had taken 
place, collecting on the way the stragglers of their troop. 

" Slocumb raised a company of two hundred men, and with 
them thoroughly harassed the rear of the royal army on its march 
until it crossed the Roanoke, when he hastened to join Lafay* 
ette at Warventon." 



TliE EXECUTION OF COL. ISAAC HAYNE. 

After Charleston had fallen into the hands of the British, 
many of the Whigs of South Carolina were induced to take tlio 
protections which were offered by Cornwallis. They were led to 
this step by the belief that the cause was hopeless in the South, 
and were promised by virtue of these protections to be allowed to 
remain quietly at their homes and take no part in the contest. 
But what was their surprise when soon after they were called upon 
to take up arms under the British commanders and against their 



140 THE EXECUTION OP 

countrymen. Conceiving that faith had been broken with thei ., 
and their promises of neutrahty no longer binding, they destroyed 
their protections and at once ranked themselves under the Conti- 
nental leaders. Among these was Col. Isaac Hayne, a man of 
unblemished reputation, fine talents, and lofty patriotism. Indig- 
nant at the course pursued by the British, and being summoned 
to appear at Charleston to take up arms against his country, he 
hastened to the American army and began to take an active par^ 
in the contest. But unfortunately he fell into the enemy's hands, 
was conveyed to Charleston, submitted by the order of Rawdon 
to a mock trial, and to the horror of all, condemned to death. He 
received his sentence with calmness, but the whole country was 
horrified. Both English and Americans interceded for his life, 
and the ladies of Charleston immortalized themselves by the 
spirited address they framed and delivered to his captors in his 
behalf. But all was of no avail. The cruel heart of Rawdon 
could not be moved ; not even the captive's motherless children 
with bended knees and tearful prayers could move his obdurate 
nature. 

His eldest child was a boy of thirteen, and he was permitted to 
remain with his father in prison up to the time of the execution. 
This boy was actuated by an affection for his father of the most 
romantic earnestness and fervor. Beholding him loaded with 
irons and condemned to die, he was overwhelmed with conster- 
nation and sorrow ; nothing could assuage his grief nor allay his 
sorrow. In vain did his father endeavor to console him by re- 
minding him that his unavailing grief only tended to increase 
his own misery ; that he was only to leave this world to be ad- 
mitted into a better ; that it was glorious to die for liberty, and 
that he himself was calm and prepared for the event. The boy 



COL. ISAAC HAVNE. 1 11 

would not ue comforted. " To-morrow," said the unhappy father, 
" I set out for immortahty ; you will accompany me to the place 
of my execution, and when I am dead, take my body and. bury 
it by the side of your poor mother." In an agony of grief the 
wretched youth fell weeping on his father's neck, crying, " Oh, 
my father, my father, I die with you !" The chains that bound 
the father prevented him from returning the embrace of his son, 
but he said, in reply, " Live, my son ; live, to honor God by a 
good life, live to take care of your brothers and sisters." 

The next morning the son walked beside the father to the 
place of execution. The history of the ^var does not afford a 
more heart-rending incident. There was not a citizen of Charles- 
ton whose bosom did not beat with anguish and swell with sup- 
pressed indignation. There was sorrow in every countenance, and 
when men spoke with each other it was in accents of horror. 

When the parent and child came in sight of the gallows, the 
father strengthened himself, and said to the weeping boy by 
his side, " Tom, my son, show yourself a man ! that tree is the 
boundary of my life and all my life's sorrow. Beyond that the 
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Don't 
lay too much at heart our separation, it will be short. 'Twas but 
lately your mother died — to-day, I die. And you, my son, though 
but young, must shortly follow." 

" Yes, my father," replied the heart-broken youth, " I shaF 
shortly follow you, for indeed I feel that I cannot live long." 

And this melancholy anticipation was fulfilled in a manner far 
more dreadful than is implied in the mere extinction of life. 
When his father was torn from his side his tears flowed inces- 
santly, and his bosom was convulsed with heart-rending sobs, but 
when he saw his beloved parent in the hands of the executioner, 



142 ADVENT LUES OF 

the halter adjusted to his neck, and then his form convulsively 
struggling in the air, the fountain of his tears was suddenly 
staunched, and he stood transfixed and motionless with horror. 
He never wept again. When all was over he was led from the 
scene, but there was a strange wildness in his look, and a palor in 
his clieek, that alarmed and terrified all who looked upon him. 
The terrible truth soon became known. His reason had fled for- 
ever. It was not long ere he followed his father to the grave, 
but his death was even more terrible than that of his parent's. 
In his last moments he often called upon his father, and in ac- 
cents of such thrilling anguish that the sternest hearted wept to 
hear him. We know of no incident in history, no passage in 
romance, more truly touching than this melancholy history. 



ADVENTURES OF MAJOR GENERAL CLINTON. 

Major General James Clinton commanded at Fort Clinton 
on the occasion of its assault by Sir Henry Clinton. Here he 
was joined by his brother George Clinton. The attack of Sir 
Henry was resisted with a devoted heroism, but overcome by 
superior numbers, and attacked by English ships of war in the 
Btream, they were gradually overcome. But the battle was des- 
perately contested, and when at last all hope was gone, Clinton, 
disdaining to surrender, gathered a body of men around him, and 
with his bi-other at his side, attempted to force his way through 
tlie enemy's ranks. 

" Fleeing to the river shore he came upon a small boat, in 
wldch he urged his brother George to embark, and make liia 



MAJOR GENERAL CLINTON. 143 

escape. The latter firmly refused to go, unless he accompanied 
him. But this was impossible ; and to end the dispute, James 
pushed his brother into the boat, and shoved it from the shore, 
before he had any time to offer any resistance, then springing on 
H horse near by, galloped away. It was dark ; and as he came 
to a bridge, which he must cross, he saw it occupied with English 
Roldiers. They challenged him ; but ordering them to clear the 
way, he drove the spurs in his horse, and dashed through the bay- 
onets, one of which pierced his le-g. Knowing that his safety lay 
in reaching the mountains, he flung himself from his horse, and 
snatching the bridle from his head, plunged into the woods. His 
remarkable presence of mind did not forsake him in this critical 
moment. He knew that unless he could catch another horse, he 
must perish amid the mountains with his wound, before he could 
reach any settlement ; and remembering that there were many 
half-wild horses roving about the shoi'es, he suddenly bethought 
himself that he might possibly take one of these next morning and 
escape. So, preserving the bridle he had taken, he limped away ; 
and sliding down a precipice a hundred feet high into a ravine, 
was out of the reach of his pursuers. Creeping along the steep 
and rocky sides, with the blood oozing rapidly from his wound, 
he slipped and fell into the stream. The cold plunge helped him, 
for it stayed the eflfusion of blood ; and drenched and faint, he 
made his way to the mountains, where he remained all night, 
racked with pain, covered with blood, and burned with fever. 
When daylight dawned he began to look about him, and finally 
^ame upon a horse, which he caught. Placing the bridle, which 
ae still retained, upon him, he mounted bare-back and rode six 
teen miles — every step driving a dagger into the wounded leg • 
before he came to a house. He presented a frightful spectacle to 



144 ADVENTURES OF 

the astonished inmates — his regimentals were covered with blood, 
his cheeks flushed with fever, and his voice hollow and husky." 

After his recovery Clinton joined Sullivan's expedition against 
the Indians, in which he won new laurels. On his return he was 
stationed at Albany, where he remained until near the close of 
the war. 

" While here an incident occurred which illustrated in a striking 
manner his character. A mutiny had broken out in a regiment, 
and it refused to obey the orders to march. AVhen word was 
brought to Clinton a fearful expression passed over his counte- 
nance, and snatching up his pistols, he walked to the head of the 
refractory regiment. Casting his eye along it for a moment, he 
thundered out ' March !' but not a soldier stirred. Turning to 
the ringleader, he presented his pistol to his breast, and told him 
to advance, or he would shoot him dead on the spot. The das- 
tardly sergeant knew well what kind of a man he had to deal 
with, and pale with rage and fear, moved on. Clinton then passed 
along to the second and third officer, in the same way, till he 
ti'aversed the whole line and put it in motion. Thus, by his re- 
solution and energy, he quelled a dangerous mutiny, and reduced 
the disobedient ranks to subordination." 



ADVENTURES OF LIEUT. RICHARD DALE. 

Lieutenant Richard Dale, afterwards Commodore, served in 
our youthful navy during the Revolutionary contest. Four several 
times he was taken a prisoner. On one occasion being captured 
by a frigate, the prisoners were placed on board the prize, under 



LIEUT. RICHARD DALE. 



Uo 



a sniMlI crew, but during tlie night becoming separated from tlie 
English vessel, the captors rose upon their conquerors, retook the 
brig, and carried her into Baltimore. He put out to sea in the 
same vessel, but encountering an English man-of-war, he was 
again captured, and this time carried into Plymouth. The prison- 
ers were examined and thrown into Mill prison on a charge of 
treason. Here they were doomed to a rigorous and painful con- 
finement. " So severe," says Cooper, " were the privations of the 
Americans on this occasion, that, in pure hunger, they cauglit a 
stray dog one day, skinned, cooked and ate him to satisfy their 
cravings for food." But their situation eventually attracted the 
attention of the humane, and their sufferings were relieved. But 
time passing on, and despairing of ever being freed by exchange, 
they resolved to attempt an escape. We quote from his life by 
Cooper. 

"A suitable place was selected, and a hole under a wall was 
commenced. The work required secrecy and time. The earth 
was removed, little by little in the pockets of the captives, care 
being had to conceal the place, until a hole of sufficient size w^as 
made to permit the body of a man to pass through. It w^as a 
tedious process, for the only opportunity which occurred to empty 
their pockets, was while the Americans were exercising in the 
halls of their prison for a short period each da}-. By patience 
and perseverance they accomplished their purpose, however, every 
hour dreading exposure and defeat. 

" When all was ready, they passed through the hole and es- 
caped. This was in February 1778. The party wandered about 
the country in company, and by night, for more than a week, sm~ 
fering all sorts of privations, until it was resolved to take the wiser 
course of separating. Djile, accompanied by one other, found his 



146 ADVENTURES OP 

way to London, hotly pursued. At one time, the two lay under 
some straw in an out-house, while the premises were searched by 
those who were in quest of them. On reaching London, Dale and 
his companion immediately got on board a vessel about to sail 
for Dunkirk. A press gang unluckily took this craft in its rounds 
and suspecting the true object of the fugitives, they were arrested, 
and their characters being ascertained, they were sent back to 
Mill Prison in disgrace. 

•• This was the commencement of a captivity far more tedious 
than the former. Li the first place, they were condemned to forty 
iays imprisonment in the black hole, as a punishment for the 
late escape ; and released from this durance, they were deprived 
of many of their former indulgences. Dale himself took his re- 
venge in singing " rebel songs," and paid a second visit to the 
Mack hole as the penalty. This state of things, with alternations 
of favor and punishment, continued quite a year, when Dale, 
singly succeeded in again effecting his great object of getting free. 

" The mode in which this second escape was made is known, 
but the manner by which he procured the means, he refused to 
his dying day to disclose. At all events, he obtained a full suit 
of British uniform, attired in which, and seizing a favorable op- 
portunity, he boldly walked past all the sentinels, and got off. 
That some one was connected with this escape, who might suffer 
by his revelations is almost certain ; and it is a trait in his char- 
acter worthy of notice, that he kept this secret, with scrupulous 
fic'lelity, for forty-seven years. It is not known that he ever di- 
vulged it even to any individual in his own family. 

•' Rendered wary by experience, Dale now proceeded with 
great address and caution. He probaJ)ly had money as well as 
clothes. At all events, he went to London, found means to pro- 



LIEUT. RICHARD DALE. 147 

cure a passport, and left the country for France unsuspected and 
undetected. On reaching a friendly soil, he hastened to L'Orient, 
and joined the force then equipping under Paul Jones. This 
commander obtained a commission for Dale, and made him the 
first lieutenant of his own ship." 

When Dale effected this last escape, he was but twenty-three 
years of age, having been made four times a prisoner, and effecting 
his escape three different times, each under very different circum 
stances. So much variety of adventure at so early an age, gives 
a peculiar charm to his history. 



MISS MONCRIEFFE. 
During the early part of the war, a gentleman named Wood 
was residing about seven miles from Peekskill. He was a zealous 
whig, but the associations and tastes of his English wife, caused 
her prejudices to decide in favor of the loyalists. Among the in- 
mates of the family, was Miss Moncrieffe, a visitor from New York, 
and the daughter of Major Moncrieffe of the English army. This 
lady was young, of surpassing beauty, fascinating manners, and 
possessed of rare accomplishments, with intellectual gifts of a high 
order. Her beauty, the care and richness lavished upon her dress, 
combined with her pleasing attainments, dazzled all those who 
came within the range of her influence, and Mr. Wood's house 
soon became the resort of all those who could obtain the acquain- 
tance of this beautiful and spirited girl. Among the visitor's who 
thronged around the brilliant lady, were several officers of the 
American army. It was not in the power of these to rei?ist the 



14.S MISS MONCRIEFFE. 

ensl.aviiio; cliarms of their beautiful countrywomen, and they were 
dehghted to find, that her sentiments sympathized with the patri- 
otic cause, and Hstened with unquaUfied pleasure to the w^ords of 
patriotism from lips so fair, and to the approbation of one to whom 
it was not in their power to resist doing homage. She encour- 
aged conversation, upon the state of the country and its prospects 
and. so unrestrained became their connection, that confidential dis 
closures were made to her from time to time, and by insinuating 
questions, she would often learn of all the plans and movements 
in contemplation, to circumvent the enemy. 

Miss Moncrieffe was an excellent equestrian. She rode out 
every day, sometimes accompanied, but oftener alone. She could 
ride any horse, however spirited, and usually went abroad in a 
magnificent costume, that from its exceeding beauty, and singular 
style, received much comment. One morning as she was taking 
her accustomed ride, alone, on passing a farm-house, the barking 
of a dog, that suddenly sprang into the road, frightened the horse. 
The animal started aside ; she was thrown to the ground, and so 
severely stunned, as to be entirely insensible. The people ran 
out from the house, lifted her up, and carried her in and laid her 
on the bed. While endeavoring to restore her, they unbuttoned 
the vest of her riding habit, to allow her to breathe more freely, 
when a letter fell out, which was picked up and lain on the table. 
It was not lonof before she beofan to recover consciousness, and in 
a few moments was fully restored to her senses. Suddenly observ- 
ing the open flaps of her vest, she started up in great agitation 
exclaiming, " Wlio unbuttoned my waist-coat ? Where is the. 
letter? ah, T am lost — lost !" A woman at her side took up tti-3 
letter, and was about to hand it to her, when a man standing )>>, 
whose suspicions were aroused by the strangeness of her manner, 



MISS MONCRIEFFE. 1^^ 

Sprang forward and seized it. With tlie greatest alarm and anxi- 
ety, she begged him to restore it, but as he observed it was ad- 
dressed to New York, and more and more suspicious from the over 
anxiety of her manner, he positively refused to deliver it up, until 
its contents should be known. Finding her efforts to obtain the 
letter in vain, and having received no injury from her fall, she waa 
obliged to mount her horse and depart without it. 

There was now but one course for her to pursue. An exposure 
of the contents of the letter would prove her ruin. She immedi- 
ately began to prepare for returning to New York, but before she 
could get ready to depart, a 23arty of soldiers rode up and entered 
the house, and the officer informed her that she must be consid- 
ered as a prisoner, and be conducted to the destination pointed 
out by his orders. 

It was ascertained, that the letter thus opportunely discovered, 
contained information relative to an intended movement of the 
American army. It was proved in the examination, that the 
young lady was in the habit, repeatedly of sending her British 
friends the information reposed in her by the young American 
officers, who supposing her to b' actuated by a strong interest in 
the cause they espoused, had confided in her the secrets of the 
army. When she wrote a letter, she concealed it in the vest of 
her riding habit, and riding by an appointed spot, contrived to 
drop it upon the ground unseen, when it was immediately. picked 
up by an accomplice hid m the bushes, and then conveyed from 
hand to hand until it reached New York. All this came to light 
by tJie confession of the accomplice himself. 

Miss Moncrieffe vvas retained as a prisoner. Her countrymen 

not disposed ^o aenl harshly with one so young, beautiful and ac- 
10 



150 AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE, 

complislied, her trial was postponed from time to time, until at 
last she was given up to her friends.* 



AN EXTRAORDINARY AD VENTURE.! 

The American authorities found much difficulty in disposing 
of their prisoners. They had no posts regularly fitted for the 
purpose , and they could suggest no better means for securing 
them, than to place them under guard in a thickly settled part of 
the country, where the inhabitants were most decidedly hostile to 
the English. The town of Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, was one of 
those selected for this purpose. The prisoners were confined in 
baiTacks, enclosed with a stockade, and vigilantly guarded. But 
in spite of all precautions, they often disappeared in an unaccount- 
able manner, and nothing was heard of them till they had re- 
sumed their places in the English army. Many arid various were 
the conjectures as to the means of their escape ; the ofiicers inquired 
and investigated in vain ; the country was explored to no purpose ; 
the soldiers shook their heads, and told of fortune-tellers, pedlars, 
and such characters who had been seen at intervals ; and sundry 
of the more credulous could think of nothing but supernatural 
agency ; but whether man or spirit, was the conspirator, the mys- 
tery was unbroken. 

When this became known to Washington, he sent General 
Hazen to lake this responsible charge. This energetic ojfficer 

* Mrs. ElU'tt. 

t From the first volume of the " New England Magazine." 



AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVRNTU-RE. 151 

after exJuiusting all resources, resorted to stratagem. He ^vas 
ajfivinced that, as the nearest British post was more than a hun- 
dred miles distant, the prisoners must be aided by Americans, but 
where the suspicion should fall, he could not even conjecture, the 
reproach of toryism being almost unknown in that region. Hav- 
ing been trained to meet exigencies of this kind in a distinguished 
career, as colonel in the Briti&b «vmy, his plan was formed at 
once, and communicated to an officer of his own, upon whose 
talent he relied for its successful execution. This was Captain 
Lee, whose courage and ability fully justified the selection. 

The secret plan concocted between them, was this. It was to 
be given out that Lee was absent on furlough or command. He, 
meanwhile, was to assume the dress of a British prisoner, and, 
Laving provided himself with information and a story of his cap- 
ture, was to be thrown into the barracks where he might gain the 
confidence of the soldiers, and join them in a plan of escape. 
How well Captain Lee sustained his part, may be inferred from 
the fact that when he had disappeared and placed himself among 
<^^he prisoners, his own officers and soldiers saw him every day 
without the least suspicion. The person to whom the author of 
this sketch is indebted for these particulars, was the intendant of 
the prisoners, and familiar with Lee ; but, though compelled to 
see him often in the discharge of his duty, he never penetrated 
the disguise. Well it was for Lee, that his disguise was so com- 
plete. Had his associates suspected his purpose to betray them, 
his history would have been embraced in the proverb, " dead men 
tell no tales." 

For many days he remained in this situation, making no dis- 
coveries whatever. He thought he percei\'ed at times, signs of 
intelligence between the prisoners and an old woman, who was 



lo'4 aIn extraordinary adventure. 

allowed to hrmg- fruit for sale, within the enclosure. She was 
known to he deaf and half-witted, and was therefore no object of 
suspicion. It was known 'that her son had been disgraced and 
punished in the American army, but she had never betrayed any 
malice on that account, and no one dreamed that she could have 
had the power to do injury if she possessed the w^ill. Lee watched 
Ler closely, but saw nothing to confirm his suspicions. Her dwell- 
ing was about a mile distant, a wild retreat where she shared her 
miserable quarters, with a dog and cat, the former of which 
mounted guard over her mansion, while the latter encouraged 
superstitious fears that were equally effectual in keeping visitors 
away. 

One dark, stonny night, in autumn, he was lying awake at 
midnight, meditating on the enterprise he had undertaken, which 
though in the beginning it had reccommended itself to his ro- 
mantic disposition, had now lost all its charms. It was one of 
those tempests, which in our climate so often hang upon the path 
of the departing year. His companions slept soundly, but the 
wind, which shook the building to its foundation, and threw 
heavy splashes of rain against the window ; conspired with the 
state of his mind to keep him wakeful. iVll at once, the door; 
was gently opened, and a figure moved silently into the room. 
It was too dark to observe its motions narrowly, but he could see 
that it stooped towards one of the sleepers who immediately rose; 
next it approached and touched him on the shoulder. Lee im- 
mediately started up; the figure then allowed a slight gleam 
from a dark lantern to pass over his face, and as it did so, whis- 
pered impatiently, " not the man — but come I" It then occurred 
to Lee, that this was the opportunity he then desired. The un- 
known then whispered to him, to keep his place till another man 



AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. 153 

was called ; but just at tliat moment, some noise disturbed him, 
and making a sign to Lee to follow, he moved silently out oi the 

T hey found the door of the house unbarred, and a small part of 
the fence removed, where they passed out without molestation; 
the sentry had retired to a shelter where he thought he could 
guard his post without sutfering from the rain ; but Lee saw that 
his conductors put themselv^es in preparation to silence him if he 
should happen to address them. Just without the fence, appeared 
a stooping figure, wrapped in a red cloak, and supporting itself 
with a large stick, which Lee at once perceived could be no other 
than the old fruit woman. But the most profound silence was 
observed ; a man came out of a thicket at a little distance, and 
joined them, and the whole party moved onward under the guid- 
ance of the old woman. At first, they frequently stopped to listen, 
but having heard the sentinels cry, " all's well," they seemed re- 
assured, and moved with more confidence than before. 

They soon came near to her cottage, under an overhanging 
bank, where a brio-ht liofht was shinino; out from a little window 
upon the wet and drooping boughs that hung near it. The dog 
received them graciously, and they entered. A table was spread 
with some coarse provisions upon it, and a large jug, which one 
of the soldiers was about to seize, when the man who conducted 
them, withheld him. 

" No," said he, " we must first proceed to business." He then 
went to a small closet, from which he returned with what seemed 
to have been originally a bible, though now it was worn to a ma- 
hogany color, and a spherical form. While they were doing this, 
Lee had time to examine his companions ; one of whom was a 
large, quite good-looking soldier, the other a short, stout man, with 



154 AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. 

much tlie aspect of a villain. They examined him in turn, and 
as Lee had formerly been obliged to punish the shorter soldier 
severely, he felt some misgivings when the fellow's eye rested 
upon him. Their conductor was a middle-aged, harsli-looking 
man, whom Lee had never seen before. 

As no time was to be lost, their guide explained to them in a 
few words, that, before he should undertake his dangerous enter- 
prise, he should require of them to swear upon the scriptures, not 
to make the least attempt to escape, and never to reveal the cir- 
cumstances or agents in the proceeding, whatever might befal 
them. The soldiers, however, insisted on deferring this measure, 
till they had formed some slight acquaintance with the contents 
of the jug, and expressed their sentiments on the subject, rather 
by actions than words. In this they were joined by Lee, who by 
this time had begun to contemplate the danger of the enterprise, 
in a new and unpleasant point of view. If he were to be com- 
pelled to accompany his party to New York, his disguise would at 
once be detected, and it was certain that he would be hanged as 
a spy. He had supposed, beforehand, that he should find no dif- 
ficulty in escaping at any moment ; but he saw that their conduc- 
tor had prepared arms for them, which they were to use in taking 
the life of any one who should attempt to leave them — and then 
the oath. He might possibly have released himself fi*om its obli- 
gations, when it became necessary for the interests of his country ; 
but no honorable man can well bear to be driven to an emergency, 
in which he must violate an oath, however reluctantly taken. He 
felt that there was no retreating, when there came a heavy shock, 
as if something falling against the sides of the house ; their prac- 
ticed ears at once detected the alarm gun ; and their conductor, 
. throwing down the old bible, which he had held all the while 



AN KXTRAORDINARV ADVENTURE. 155 

impatiently in his liand, directed the party to follow him in close 
©rder, and immediately quitted the house, taking with him his 
dark lantern. 

They went on with great dispatch, but not without difficulty. 
Sometimes their footing would give way on some sandy bank or 
slippery field ; and when their path led through the woods, the 
wet boughs dashed heavily in their faces. Lee felt that he might 
have deserted his precious companions while they were in this 
hurry and alarm ; but he felt, that, as yet, he had made no dis- 
coveries ; and however dangerous his situation was, he could not 
Dear to confess that he had not nerve to carry it through. On he 
went, therefore, for two or three hours, and was beginning to sink 
with fatigue, when the barking of a dog brought the party to a 
stand. Their conductor gave a low whistle, which was answered 
at no great distance, and a figure came forward in the darkness 
who whispered to their guide, and then led the way up to a 
building, which seemed, by the shado^vy outline, to be a large 
stone barn. They entered it, and were severally placed in small 
nooks where they could feel that the hay was all around them, 
except on the side of the wall. Shortly after, some provisions 
were brought to them with the same silence, and it was signified 
to them that they were to remain concealed through the whole of 
the coming day. 

Through a crevice in the wall Lee could discover, as the day 
came on, that the barn was attached to a small house. He was 
so near the house that he could overhear the conversation which 
was carried on about the door. The morning rose clear, and it 
was evident from the inquiries of horsemen, who occasionally gal- 
loped up to the door, that the country was alarmed. The farmei 
gave short and surly replies, as if unwilling to be taken off" froio * 



156 AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURp:. 

his Inbor ; but the other inmates were eager in their questions, 
and, from the answers, Lee gatliered that the means by wliich he 
and his companions had escaped were as mysterious as ever. 

The next night, when all was quiet, they resumed their march, 
and explained to Lee, that, as he was not with them in their con- 
spiracy and was accidentally associated with them in their escape, 
they should take the precaution to keep him before them, just 
behind the guide. He submitted without opposition, though the 
arrangement considerably lessened the chances in favor of his es- 
cape. He observed, from the direction of the stars, that they did 
not move in a direct line toward the Delaware, but they changed 
their course so often that he could not conjecture at what point 
they intended to strike the river. He endeavored, whenever 
any peculiar object appeared, to fix it in his memory as well 
as the darkness would permit, and succeeded better than could 
have been expected, considering the agitated state in which he 
traveled. 

For several nights they went on in this manner, being deliver- 
ed over to ditferent persons from time to time ; and as Lee could 
gather from their whispering conversation, they were regularly 
employed on occasions like the present, and well rewarded by the 
British for their services. Their employment was full of danger ; 
and though they seemed like desperate men, he could observe 
ill at they never remitted their precautions. They were concealed 
by day in barns — cellars — caves made for the purpose, and simi 
lar retreats, and one day was passed in a tomb, the dimensions 
of which had been enlarged, and the inmates, if there had been 
any, banished to make room for the living. The burying grounds 
were a favorite retreat, and on more occasions than one they 
^ \vere obliged to resort to superstitious alarms to remove intruaers 



AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. 157 

apon their path ; their success fully justified the experiment, and, 
unpleasantly situated as he was, in the prospect of soon being a 
g-host himself, he could not avoid laughing at the expedition with 
which old and young fled from the fancied apparitions under 
clouds of night, wishing to meet such enemies, like Ajax, in the 
face of day. 

Though the distance to the Delaware was not great, they had 
now been twelve days on the road, and such was the vigilance 
and suspicion prevailing throughout the country, that they almost 
despaired of efi:ecting their object. Tlie conductor grew impa- 
tient ; and Lee's companions, at least one of them, became fero- 
cious. There was, as we have said, something unpleasant to him 
in the glance of this fellow toward him, which became more and 
more fierce as they went on ; but it did not appear whether it 
were owing to circumstances or actual suspicion. It so happened 
that, on the twelfth night, Lee was placed in a barn, while the 
rest of the party sheltered themselves in the cellar of a little stone 
church, where they could talk and act with more freedom, both 
because the solitude of the place was not often disturbed even on 
the Sabbath — and because even the proprietors did not know 
that illegal hands had added a cellar to the conveniences of 
the building. 

The party were seated here as the day broke, and the light, 
which struggled in through crevices opened for the purpose 
ho wed a low room about twelve feet square, with a damp floor 
and large patches of white mould upon the walls. Finding, pro- 
bably, that the pavement aftbrded no accommodations for sleep- 
ing, the worthies were seated each upon a little cask, which seemed 
like those used for gunpowder. Here they were smoking pipes 
with great diligence, and, at intervals not distant, applying a huge 



158 AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. 

canteen to t'heir mouths, from whicli tliey drank with uT)turned 
faces, expressive of solemn satisfaction. While they were thus 
engaged, the short soldier asked them in a careless way, if they 
knew w^hom they had in the party. The others started, and took 
their pipes from their mouths to ask him what he meant. 

" I mean," said he, " that we are honored with the company of 
Captain Lee, of the rebel army. The rascal once punished me, 
and I never mistook my man when I had a debt of that kind to 
pay. Now I shall have my revenge." 

The others hastened to express their disgust at his ferocity, say- 
ing, that if, as he said, their companion was an American officer, 
all they had to do was to watch him closely. They said that, as 
he had came among them uninvited, he must go wnth them to 
New York and take the consequences ; but, meantinie, it was their 
interest not to seem to suspect him, otherwise he might give an 
alarm, whereas it was evidently his intention to go with them till 
they were ready to embark for New York. The other persisted 
in saying that he would have his revenge with his own hand, upon 
which the conductor, drawing a pistol declared to him that if he 
saw the least attempt to injure Captain Lee, or any conduct which 
would lead him to suspect that his disguise was discovered, he 
would that moment shoot him through the head. The soldier 
put his hand upon his knife with an ominous scowl upon the con- 
ductor, but seeing that he had to do with one who was likely to 
be as good as his word, he restrained himself, and began to ar- 
range some rubbish to serve him for a bed. The other soldiers 
followed his example, and their guide withdrew, locking the door 
after him. 

The next night they went on as usual, but the manner of their 
conductor showed there was more danger than before ; in fact- he 



AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. 159 

exi)laiiied to the party, tliat they were now not far from the Dela- 
ware, and hoped to reach it before midnight. They occasionally 
heard the report of a musket, which seemed to indicate that some 
movement was going on in the country. Thus warned, they 
quickened their steps, and it was not long before they saw a 
gleam of broad clear light before them, such as is reflected from 
calm waters even in the darkest nights. They moved up to i 
with deep silence ; there were various emotions in their breasts ; 
Lee was hoping for an opportunity to escape from an enterprize. 
which was growing too serious, and the principal objects of 
which were already answered ; the others were anxious lest some 
accident might have happened to the boat on which they de- 
pended for crossing the stream. 

Wlien they came to the bank there were no traces of a boat on 
the waters. Their conductor stood still for a moment in dismay ; 
but, recollecting himself, he said it was possible it might have 
been secured low^er down the stream, and, forgetting everything 
else, he directed the larger soldier to accompany him, and, giving 
a pistol to the other, he whispered, " if the rebel officer attempt 
to betray us, shoot him ; if not, you will not, for your own sake, 
make any noise to show where we are." In the same instant 
they departed, and Lee was left alone with the ruffian. 

He had before suspected the fellow knew him, and now doubts 
were changed to certainty at once. Dark as it was, it seemed as 
if fire flashed from his eye, now that he felt revenge was in his 
power. Lee was as brave as any officer in the army ; but he was 
unarmed, and though he was strong, his adversary was still more 
powerful. While he stood, uncertain what to do, the f(jllow 
seemed to be enjoying the prospect of revenge, as he looked upon 
him with a steady eye. Though the officer stood in appearance 



160 AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. 

unmoved, the sweat rolled in heavy drops from his brow. He 
soon took his resolution, and sprang upon his adversary with the 
intention of wresting the pistol from his hand ; but the other was 
upon his guard, and aimed with such precision, that, had the pis- 
tol been charged with a bullet, that moment would have been his 
last. But it seemed that the conductor had trusted to the sight 
of his weapons to render the use of them unnecessary, and had 
therefore loaded them only with powder ; as it was, the shock 
threw Lee to the ground ; but fortunately as the fellow dropped 
the pistol, it fell where Lee could reach it, and as his adversary 
stooped, and was drawing his knife from his bosom, Lee was able 
to give him a stunning blow. He immediately threw himself upon 
the assassin, and a long and bloody struggle began ; they were 
so nearly matched in strength and advantage, that neither dared 
unclench his hold for the sake of grasping the knife ; the blood 
gushed from their mouths, and the combat would have probably 
ended in favor of the assassin, when steps and voices were heard 
advancing, and they found themselves in the hands of a party of 
countrymen, who were armed for the occasion, and were scouring 
the banks of the river. They were forcibly torn apart, but so ex- 
hausted and breathless, that neither could make any explanation, 
and they submitted quietly to the disposal of their captors. 

The party of armed countrymen though they had succeeded 
in their attempt, and were sufficiently triumphant on the occasion, 
were sorely perplexed to determine how to dispose of their pris- 
Dners. After some discussion, one of them proposed to obtain the 
decision of the wisdom of the nearest magistrate. They accord- 
ingly proceeded with their prisoners to his mansion, about two 
miles distant, and called on him to rise and attend to basin oss. 
A. window was hastily thrown up, and the justice put forth his 



AN EXTRAORDINARY iiDVENTURE. 1 f) 1 

niglit-cappad head, and, with more wrath than became his dignity, 
ordr^red them off; and, in reqnital for tlieir calling him out of 
bed in the cold, generously wished them to the warmest place 
which then occurred to his imagination. However, resistance was 
vain ; he was compelled to rise ; and, as soon as the prisonei's 
were brought before him, he ordered them to be taken in irons 
to the city of Philadelphia. Lee improved the opportunity to 
take the old gentleman aside, and told him who he was, and why 
he was thus disguised ; the justice only interrupted him with the 
occasional inquiry, " Most done ?" When he had finished, the 
magistrate told him that his story was very well made, and told 
in a manner very creditable to his address, and that he should 
give it all the weight it seemed to require. All Lee's remon- 
strance were unavailing. 

As soon as they were fairly lodged m prison, Lee prevailed on 
the jailor to carry a note to Gen. Lincoln, informing him of his 
condition. The general received it as he was dressing in the 
morning, and immediately sent one of his aids to the jail. That 
officer could not believe his eyes when he saw Captain Lee. His 
uniform, worn out when he assumed it, was now hanging in i-ags 
about him, and he had not been shaved for a fortnight ; he wished, 
very naturally, to improve his appearance before presenting him- 
self before the Secretaiy of War ; but the orders were peremptory 
to bring him as he was. The general loved a joke full well ; his 
laughter was hardly exceeded by the report of his own cannon , 
and long and loud did he laugh that day. 

When Captain Lee returned to Lancaster, he immediately at- 
tempted to retrace the ground ; and so accurate, under all th.e 
unfavorable circumstances, had been his investigation, that he 
brought to justice fifteen persons, who bad aided the escape of 



162 MISS MOORE. 

Bntisli prisoners. It is scarcely necessary to say to those who 
know the fate of revolutionary officers, that he received, for this 
hazardous and effectual service, no reward whatever. 



MISS MOORE. 

Miss Behethland Moore, the daughter of Captain Moore, 
who was present at Braddock's defeat, and who died in 1770, 
resided with her mother and step-father. Captain Samuel Savage, 
in Edgefield District, South Carolina. Her youth was passed 
among the eventful scenes of our revolution, and a number of in- 
cidents are related, that go to prove her calm courage, and her 
inflexibility of purpose. She was born in 1764, and therefore, in 
the earlier part of the contest was nothing more than a child. 

The terrors of the war were often enacted before the very door 
of her step-father's residence. On one occasion, a most san- 
guinary skirmish took place just before the house, between a 
a body of Col. Washington's cavalry, and some of Rawdon's men. 
Shortly after a party of the British in search of plunder, broke 
into the house. But the family had been forewarned, and con- 
cealed their treasures. In searching for plunder they discovered 
a quantity of apples, and began to roll them down the stairs, 
while the soldiers below picked them up. Miss Moore, nothing 
fearing, commanded them to desist, with an air so determined 
and resolute, that an officer standing by, admiring so courageous 
a spirit in a girl so young, ordered the soldiers to obey her. 

On another occasion, a party of tories in pillaging the house, 
commanded one of the servants to brinor them the horses. Miss 



MISS moorh:. ir>3 

Moore commanded liim not to obey. The tories repeated tbe 
order, accompanied with a thi-eat to beat him if he refused. The 
command of the young girl was reiterated, and just as the tory 
was about putting his threat into execution, she threw herself be- 
tween them, and preserved the slave from the intended violence. 
At one time, great danger was threatening Captain Wallace, 
who commanded a small force, a few miles distant. It was of 
the utmost importance that this intelligence should be conveyed 
to him, but there was no male whose services could be commanded, 
and, therefore. Miss Moore volunteered to convey the message 
herself. This was when she was but fifteen. Midnight was 
chosen as the hour, and accompanied by her little brother, and a 
female friend, she set out in a canoe up the river towards the en- 
campment of the whigs. Silently and swiftly they propelled their 
frail vessel up the dark current, through forests buried in dark- 
ness, and a profound silence that awed them ; with the calm stars 
above, and the deep river gloomily rolling by, and no human 
sounds to relieve the oppressive solemnity of the hour. It was 
the hour too, when the enemy usually set out on their marauding 
expeditions, and the young girls knew that neither their sex, noi 
innocence would preserve them from ruthless foes, who were 
more relentless and cruel, than the swarthy savages of the forest 
But the fate of many of their countrymen depended on their exer- 
tions, and, as it proved, the future destiny of our heroine, was in- 
volved in the successful issue of their enterprise. Undismayed bj 
the perils of the journey, the young girls bent their energies to 
the task before them, and at last saw lights glimmering in the 
distance, that pointed out their destination. They soon reached 
Ihfi encampment, a picturesque scene, with the ruddy glow from 
the camp fires, casting the surrounding scene in still greater shadow, 



164 MISS MOORE. 

and motley groups of figures gathered around the fires, sleeping, 
talking, eating, &c. After delivering the warning to Captain 
Wallace, the girls embarked in their canoe to return, and soon 
left the encampment behind, mnding their way through dense 
forests, and reached their home in safety. 

The next morning, a handsome and gallant looking American 
officer, rode up to the door of Captain Savage's residence, and re- 
quested to make a few inquiries of the young lady, by whose en- 
ergy and zeal her countrymen had been saved from an impending 
danger. Miss Moore appeared, and when her youthful and 
blooming beauty greeted the eyes of the young officer, an excla 
mation of pleasure burst from his lips. He almost forgot to 
make his inquiries, until reminded by the blushing damsel, but 
her voice rather increased than relieved his embarrassment. All 
his questions having been at last answered, and having no excuse 
by which to prolong the interview, he was reluctantly compelled 
to depart, but his eyes to the last rested on the fair girl's form. 
It is said that the young lady was no less struck with the hand- 
some draofoon's fi'Ture, and that his face came often to her in her 
dreams that night. 

It was not long before the young officer made an excuse for 
again visiting the house whore resided the beauty who had bound 
him captive to her charms, and as these impressions were recipro- 
cal, he soon discovered welcome in her manner, and drew happy 
auguries therefrom. He became an accepted suitor. But thei/ 
love in a measure verified the old adage. The step-father op- 
posed the union ; at first strenuously, but the perseverance of the 
lover, gi-adually broke down his opposition, and he eventually 
yielded consent. ^ 



MISS MOORE. 165 

It was not till 17 84, that Miss Moore became united to Captain 
William Butler, afterwards General Butler, member of Congress, 
from 1801 till 1814, and commander of the southern forces, as 
Major General, during the last war with Great Britain. 

Mrs. Butler filled a distinguished place in society, and was cele- 
brated for her lofty virtues, high intelligence, and graceful refine- 
ment. Her distinguished husband died in 1821, but not until 
quite recently was she called upon to close her mortal career. 



ADVENTURES OF MR. FERRIS. 

At early morn, of a day in September, 1*776, a long line of 
boats put off from the enemy's fleet, which for some days had 
been Ijnng nearly opposite Throg's Neck, on Long Island 
sound, and approached in an imposing manner to the shore. The 
gay regimentals of the soldiers, and the glittering bayonets that 
threw back the sun's rays in floods of brilliant and dazzling light, 
with the sounds of martial music, and the occasional solemn boom- 
ing of a gun, presented a beautiful and inspiriting scene. But to 
the residents of the country, who were tremblingly watching the 
disembarkation, the pageant w^as only one of terror, and as with 
heavy hearts they watched the invaders land upon their soil, their 
bosoms sunk in hopeless despair, and a lorg era of oppression, 
suffering, and imprisonment was opened to them, of which this 
was the first scene in the drama. 

In the house of James Ferris, a large land holder, and wealthy 
fiirmer, residing on the Neck, a cheerful and happy family group 
were gathered at the morning meal. But as they arose ftvm the 



lOG ADVENTURES OF MR. FERRIS. 

table, the apiDalling sight burst upon their view, and in an iistan'. 
peace and contentment were changed into dismay and terror. 
Pai't of the troops had ah-eady Linded, and their danger was im- 
minent. Mr. Ferris was aged and crippled, and thus escape to 
him was impossible, but his son, Thomas Ferris, a young man of 
twenty, he determined to save for future ser\dces to his country 
The trembling hands of the whole family group, were immediately 
engaged in preparing him for departure ; his clothes were hastily 
tied up in a handkerchief, and with his musket thrown over his 
shoulder, he sprang upon the horse ready saddled at the door, and 
galloped off toward the head of the Neck. But he was observed 
by the British, and a party sent to prevent his escape. He suc- 
ceeded, however, in reaching the head of the Neck before his ene- 
mies, but as he crossed the bridge, a volley of musketry was dis- 
charged after him by the disappointed soldiery. Not a bullet 
touched him, however, and he hurried forward to join the Ame- 
rican ranks. 

The members of the family, whose peace had been thus sud- 
denly disturbed, meanwhile, remained in the most keen anxiety 
as to the fate of the fugitive. The discharges which they heard 
did not serve to allay their fears, but the approach of the enemy 
to the door, turned their thoughts to their own danger. Mr. Fer- 
ris had hoped that his age, and his inaction in the contest, would 
preserve him from molestation. But he was mistaken. When, 
indeed, in the course of the war, was a dependence on British 
mercy justified ! He was ruthlessly seized, and toi-n from his fa 
mily, despite their entreaties, and sent to New York as a prisoner 
"We are all aware of the terrible sufferings of the American captives 
confined in New York, and of the attrocities practiced upon them 
by their inhuman keepers. Mr. Ferris was thrown into the old 



ADVENTURES OF MR. FERRIS. 167 

sugar-house prison, where, subjected to every exposure, half star- 
ved, and compelled to eat the unwholesome food placed before 
him, ho contracted a disease which then prevailed among the pri_ 
soners. His strength became utterly prostrated, and he was. 
broL'ght to an extremity of sulfering, difficult to realize. But du- 
ring the term of his confinement, Mrs. Ferris, who was a deter- 
mined and resolute woman, went into the city for the purpose of 
attempting to procure his liberation. Undaunted by the innume- 
rable obstacles in such an attempt, and undismayed by the al- 
most utter hopelessness, she persevered to the last, and eventually 
procured his release. But it was at an hour when disease had 
wasted his strength, and death was hovering so close upon him 
that his captors considered him of no more danger to the cause 
of his majesty. The devoted wife bore him to her home, only to 
see him die. It was but a few days after he was borne out from 
his pestilential dungeon, that he was carried to his last earthly 
abode ; and the soil that rested upon his bosom, covered one of 
the many martyrs who purchased the liberty of their country, not 
in the wild excitement of the battle field, but in the silent, slow, 
and unanimated agonies of the dungeon ; by the cancker of suf- 
ferino; that eat into their souls and consumed their heart-strinixs. 

Thomas Ferris, young and active, with a vigorous and powerful 
frame, now became one of the deadliest and most dangerous ene- 
mies to the invader. We can readily imagine that the horrors 
which surrounded his father's untimely end, gave an edge to his 
animosity, and often nerved his arm in the contest. He was ge- 
nerally employed in collecting information of the movements of 
tJie British forces, and this duty brought him into frequent con- 
nection with Luthei" Kennicut, one of those persons employed by 
the coL»jmander-in-chief to frequent the camp of the enemy in th« 



108 ADVENTURES OF MR. FERRIS. 

capacitii^s of spies, and wlio have been immortalized in tlie cLa- 
racter of Harvey Birch.* This class of men in doing signal service 
to theii country, were placed in situations most trying to their 
patriotism. They were usually suspected to be refugees, and as 
such were frequently exposed to the honest indignation of their 
whig neighbors, and indignities thus heaped upon them by those 
whom they served, could only have been allayed by the conscious- 
ness of the great benefits their services were conferring upon tiie 
patriotic cause. They usually w^ent about as pedlars, and would 
pass through the enemy's lines, and even penetrate into the very 
presence of the British leaders, by means of their pursuit, with 
unsuspected impunity. This Kennicut was one of the most active 
men thus employed. Whenever any movement was in contem- 
plation by the British army, he would adroitly manage to become 
possessed of all the particulars, and then pass through the line 
under the pretence of selling his articles, and meeting his accom- 
plices in secret places, at night, in the depths of the wood, convey 
his intelligence to the American officers. Young Ferris was of 
those employed in receiving the intelligence thus gained by Ken- 
nicut ; and he declared after the war that many serious conse- 
quences were averted from the American army, by means of the 
faithful services of the despised, but patriotic pedlar. 

In one of the many interviews between Ferris and Kennicut, a 
bold plan was conceived by them for the surprise and capture of 
one of the principal British officers while in his ov/n camp. The 
British army were encamped on Throg's Neck, and the quartere. 
of the officer, whom they designed to capture, were in the house 
of Mr. Ferris. Two other enterprising patriots were engaged ii; 



* KenuiciU was the original of this celebrated character of Cooper's. 



ADVENTURES OF MR. FERRIS. 169 

the attempt. On the evening fixed upon, Ferris and his two 
companions, Kennicut appointing to meet them on the Neck, cau- 
tiously approached the sentinels. Their manner of passing the 
guard, was ingenious and bold. It was done by crawling along 
the shore through the sedge, cautiously advancing as the senti- 
nel's back was turned toward them, and when he advanced, they 
w^ould lie close and still in the sedge. By this slow and critical 
means, they at last passed the sentinel, and got on to the Neck, 
and soon joined Kennicut at the place of meeting. A place of 
concealment was now found for them, and the plan for the cap- 
ture arranged, which was to take place at midnight of the next 
evening. Young Ferris who was acquainted with the house, was 
to conduct the party to the apartment of the officer, whom they 
were to seize, gag, and muffle, and escape with him from the 
Neck as expeditiously and silently as possible. It was a daring 
plan, but its success would crown them with lasting honor. After 
the completion of all the arrangements, Kennicut left them. Some 
little time after his departure, Ferris becoming very thirsty, in- 
cautiously ventured to tlie well, near to the house, for the purpose 
of procuring water, when he was observed and recognized by one 
of the negro slaves belonging to the house. In a few minutes 
after this incident, Kennicut came to them hurriedly, and in- 
formed them that their presence on the Neck was known, that 
the guard was doubled all round the Neck, and that a thorough 
search was ordered to be made for them, at the first approach of 
daylight. They were now in a critical situation. To escape :rom 
the Neck in the same manner they reached it, was impossible, a^ 
at this point a vigilant watch would doubtless be stationed. Fer- 
ris proposed to escape by swimming, but his two companions could 
not swim, and they begged most earnestly not to be abandoned. 



J.70 ADVENTUPcES OF MR. FERRIS. 

But the resources of men inured to danger, and familiar with stra- 
tagem, were not exhausted. Towards the lower end of the Neck 
there was an old stone wall, which had been built double, and 
which was surrounded by a thick and tangled mass of plumb 
bushes. The plan was to remove one side of the wall, and rebuild 
it in such a manner so as to afford hollow places for their conceal- 
ment. Ferris and Kennicut first built in their two companions, 
and lastly, Ferris took his place, and Kennicut alone completed 
the entombment. These singular and ingenious cages having 
been finished, Kennicut surveyed them closely, and with scrutiny 
on all sides. The form of the wall was but little altered from its 
original shape, while the screen work of bushes effectually cur- 
tained it from observation. Assured of the completeness of the 
concealment, Kennicut, with a few words of caution, left Ferris 
and his companions in their voluntary imprisonment, with a prom- 
ise to return to them whenever he might do so with prudence. 

The situation of our heroes, must indeed have been trying. It 
was not long before daylight appeared, and then they could hear 
the search that was going on all around them. Presently the 
tramp of soldiers was heard, which grew nearer and nearer, and 
their hearts sank desparingly v/ithin them, as they could detect 
their approach directly to the spot where they were concealed. 
Two files of soldiers, one on each side of the wall, came along 
close by the side of the wall, and so near to them, that with a 
switch two feet long, the prisoners could have touched them. Sud- 
denly, and to the great terror of the adventurers, the word of halt 
was given, and our heroes believed their discovery certain. The 
grass which had been trampled down by them in the process of 
erecting their prisons, arrested the attention of the soldiers, and a 
trief conference as to Ils cause, was held within hearing of the 



ADVENTURES OF MR,. FERRIS. 171 

captives. One remarked, that " there the d d rebels must have 

lain last night," — but another was of opinion, that it was where 
the deserters, who had escaped the day previous, had lain during 
the night. Satisfied with this solution of the cause, the party re- 
sumed their march, much to the relief and delight of our incar- 
cerated friends. They remained in their concealment the entire 
;.lay, and much of the ensuing night, without food, and in a state 
of unceasing anxiety. Towards morning, Kennicut came and re- 
leased them. They now abandoned their intention of securing 
the officer, and set about escaping from the Neck in the same 
manner they had come upon it. 

Mr. Ferris was frequently engaged in enterprizes of a similar 
nature to this, during the period of the war. On one occasion, 
he accompanied an expedition in two whale boats, eastward, and 
approaching Stonington they resolved to cut out two vessels, a 
sloop and a schooner belonging to the British, which were lying 
at anchor in the harbor. At the hour of midnight, when all was 
hushed and still, they cautiously rowed towards the vessels, the 
one to which Mr. Ferris belonged approaching the schooner. But 
one man walked its deck, the others being asleep below, and he 
seemed to be unconscious of the danger which threatened the ves- 
sel. Not a sound denoted their approach, and the boat was by 
the vessel's side, and the assailants already pouring upon the deck, 
ere the sentinel was aware of the attack. A pistol at his head 
commanded immediate silence, or death the penalty, and in a 
moment the hatches and companion-way were secured, the cables 
cut, the sails hoisted, and they slowly moved from the shore. But 
at this juncture they were saluted by cannon from the battery on 
shore, the alarm having been given by the hoisting of the sails, 
and with balls ploughing the sea about them and occasionally 



172 EXPLOITS OP SERGEANT JASPER. 

whistling through the rigging, they stood out to sea, but were 
soon out of sight and beyond the reach of the enemy. 

Numerous adventures and " hair-breadth 'scapes " occurred to 
Mr. Ferris during the eventful period of the war, but the forego- 
ing, from their daring and ingenuity particularly commend them- 
selves to the admiration of the reader. The author is indebted to 
a son of Mr. Ferris, now residing in Westchester County, in thi* 
State, for the particulars of the above sketch. 



EXPLOITS OF SERGEANT JASPER. 

Every reader of American history is acquainted with the name 
of Sergeant Jasper. He served in " Marion's Brigade," and by 
his heroism and talents he won a reputation rarely acquired by 
one in so obscure a position. At the celebrated battle of Fort 
Moultrie, in the hottest fire of the battle, the flag of the fort was 
shot away, and fell without the fort. Jasper instantly leapt over 
the ramparts on to the beach, where he was fully exposed to a 
most terrific fii-e, and seizing the flag, bound it to a sponge staflF, 
and stuck it on the rampart in the sand. This act was performed 
with the most undisturbed coolness, and received the acclamations 
of the soldiers. After the battle. Gen. Rutledge presented hiii, 
with a sword as a token of esteem for his chivalrous bravery. 

" Jasper possessed remarkable talents for a 3cout. He could 
wear all diguises with admirable ease and dext(;rity. He was a 
perfect Proteus, in ability to alter his appearance ; perpetually en 
tering the camp of the enemy, without detection, and invaiiably 
returning to his own with soldiers he had seduced, or prisoners he 



EXPLOITS OF SERGEANT JASPER. 173 

had captured. Such was the confidence in his fidelity and skill, 
that a roving commission was granted him, with liberty to pick 
his associates from the brigade. Of these he seldom chose more 
than six. He would often go off and return with a prisoner be- 
fore his absence was known. He was known to catch a party 
that was looking for him. On one occasion he went into the Bri 
tish lines at Savannah, as a deserter, and was gladly received 
After a stay of eight days in which time he learned of the strength, 
situation and intentions of the enemy, he returned to his com- 
panions. 

" While in the exercise of his roving privileges he, on one oc- 
casion, visited the post of the enemy at Ebenezer. At this post 
he had a brother, who held the same rank in the British service, 
that he held in the American. This instance was quite too com- 
mon in the history of the period and country, to occasion much 
surprise, or cause any suspicion of the integrity of either party. 
William Jasper loved his brother and wished to see him : it is 
very certain, at the same time, that he did not deny himself the 
privilege of seeing all around him. The Tory was alarmed at 
William's appearance in the British camp, but the other quieted 
his fears, by representing himself as no longer an American sol- 
dier. He checked the joy which this declaration excited in his 
brother's mind, by assuring him that, though he found little en- 
couragement in fighting for his country, " he had not the heart 
to fight against her." Our scout lingered for two or three days 
iii the British camp, and then, by a detour^ regained that of the 
American's ; reporting to his Commander all that he had seen. 
He was encouraged to repeal his visit a few weeks after, but this 
time he took with him a comrade, one Sergeant Newton, a fellow 
quite as brave in spirit, and strong in body as himself. . Here he 



174 EXPLOITS OF SERGEANT JASPER. 

was again well received by liis brother, wbo entertained tbe 
guests kindly for several days. Meanwhile, a small party of 
Americans were brought into Ebenezer as captives, over whom 
hung the danger of " short, shrift and sudden cord." They were 
on their way to Savannah for trial. They had taken arms with 
the British, as hundreds more had done, when the country was 
deemed reconquered ; but, on the approach of the American 
army, had rejoined their countrymen, and were now once more at 
the mercy of the power with which they had broken faith. ' It 
will go hard with them,' said the Tory Jasper to his Whig bro- 
ther ; but the secret comment of the other was, ' it shall go hard 
with me first.' There was a woman, the wife of one of the pris- 
oners, who, with her child, kept them company. William Jasper 
and his friend were touched by the spectacle of their distress ; 
and they conferred together, as soon as they were alone, as to the 
possibility of rescuing them. Their plan was soon adopted. It 
was a simple one, such as naturally suggests itself to a hardy 
and magnanimous character. The prisoners had scarcely left the 
post for Savannah, under a guard of eight men, a sergeant and 
corporal, when they took leave of their host, and set forth also, 
though m a diflferent direction fi-om the guard. Changing their 
course when secure from observation, they stretched across the 
country and followed the footsteps of the unhappy captives. But 
it was only in the pursuit that they became truly conscious of the 
difficulty, nay, seeming impossibility, of effecting their object. 
The guard was armed, and ten in number ; they but two, and 
weaponless. Hopeless, they nevertheless followed on. Two miles 
from Savannah there is a famous spring, the waters of which are 
well known to travelers. The conjecture that the guard miglit 
stop there, with the prisoners, for refreshment, suggested itself to 



EXPLOITS OF SERGEANT JASPER. 175 

our companions ; here, opportunities might occur for the rescue, 
which had nowhere before presented themselves. Taking an ob- 
scure path with which they were familiar, which led them to the 
spot before the enemy could arrive, they placed themselves in 
ambush in the immediate neighborhood of the spring. They 
had not long to wait. Their conjecture proved correct. Th 
guard was halted on the road opposite the spring. The corpora 
with four men conducted the captives to the water, while the ser 
geant, with the remainder of his force, having made them ground 
their arms near the road, brought up the rear. The prisoners 
threw themselves upon the earth — the woman and her child, near 
its father. Little did any of them dream that deliverance was at 
hand. The child fell asleep in the mother's lap. Two of the 
armed men kept guard, but we may suppose with little caution. 
What had they to apprehend, within sight of a walled town in 
the possession of their friends? Two others approached the 
spring, in order to bring water to the prisoners. Resting their 
muskets against a tree they proceeded to fill their canteens. At 
this moment Jasper gave the signal to his comrade. In an in- 
stant the muskets were in their hands. In another, they had shot 
down the two soldiers upon duty ; then clubbing their weapons, 
they rushed out upon the astonished enemy, and felling their first 
opponents each at a blov/, they succeeded in obtaining possession 
of the loaded muskets. This decided the conflict, which was over 
in a few minutes. The survi\qng guard yielded themselves to 
mercy before the presented weapons. Such an achievement could 
only be successful from its audacity and the operation of circum- 
stances. The very proximity of Savannah increased the chances 
of success. But for this the guard would have taken better pre- 
cauti**ns. None were taken. The prompt valor, the bold decision. 



176 AN ACT OF MERCY REWARDED. 

the cool calculation of the instant, were the essential elements 
which secured success. The work of our young heroes was not 
done imperfectly. The prisoners were quickly released, the arms 
of the captured British put into their hands, and, hurrying away 
from the spot which they have crowned with a local celebrity not 
soon to be forgotten, they crossed the Savannah in safety with 
their friends and foes." 

Soon after this Jasper lost his life in a manner that has immor 
talized him. After the celebrated victory achieved by Moultrie 
at the fort which bears his name, the citizens of Charleston vied 
with each other in doing honor to the conquerors. A lady, named 
Mrs. Elliot, presented a pair of colors to the regiment, and in a 
speech that accompanied the presentation she invoked its courage 
to defend them " as long as they can wave in the air of liberty." 
Subsequently, in the attack upon Savannah, the ensign bearers. 
Lieutenants Bush and Hume, in planting them on the British 
lines, were shot down. Lieutenant Gay, in endeavoring to carry 
them forward, also fell ; and Jasper in seizing one of the flags, Jis 
it fell from Hume, was mortally wounded, but he succeeded in 
bearing it away in safety. 



AN ACT OF MERCY REWARDED. 

At the time when the cause of the patriots looked so dark in 
the south, and when the few whigs who refused to receive the 
offered protections of the British commander, were beginning to 
gather in partizan bands with the determination to resist the foe 
unto the last, Col. l^ratton assumed an important influence in 



AN ACT OF MERCY REWARDED. 177 

furtlienng the plans of the whigs, and gathering them together 
to resist the enemy. The active energy he manifested in the 
cause, made him particularly obnoxious to the British, who at last 
resolved to crush him. Captain Huck, with a command of four 
hundred men, was dispatched with instructions to hunt him 
down. 

Col. Bratton resided near Brattonsville, South Carolina, and his 
grounds became the scene of a victory, known in the history of 
the v/ar, as Huck's defeat. To this spot. Captain Huck proceeded, 
and entered the house, on the evening of the day which preceded 
the victory, roughly demanding of Mrs. Bratton, where her hus- 
band was. She calmly replied that he was in Sumter's army. 
This reply enraged the British officer, but he controlled his anger, 
while he endeavored to persuade her to confess her knowledge of 
his retreat, and promising that if she would induce him to join 
the royahsts, he should receive a commission in the army. The 
officer eloquently pictured the hopelessness of the " rebel" cause, 
and stated truly that the whigs themselves generally despaired of 
success. But to these specious arguments, and tempting promi- 
ses, the heroic lady yielded nothing, and declared that she would 
rather see her husband perish at once, in the cause he had assu- 
med to defend, than to wear lofty honors in the armies of her 
country's enemy. This reply broke down the officer's command 
of his temper, and one of the soldiers, actuated by that spirit of 
deadly hatred, and unrelenting cruelty, that so pervaded the 
breasts of our country's invaders, seized a reaping hook near at 
hand, and bringing it into contact with her throat, would in an 
instant have ruthlessly murdered her, had not the officer second 
in command, sprang forward and rescued her from his hands. 

The troops, after partaking of a supper in Mrs. Bratton's resi- 



178 AN ACT OF MERCY REWARDED. 

dence, proceeded to anotlier house at a short distance, and en 
camped for the night. Colonel Bratton having received informa 
tion of their whereabouts, meanwhile, was rapidly approaching 
their position, with the hope of surprising and defeating them. 
His own command numbered only fifty, while that of the enemy 
was four hundred. But they kept negligent watch, and the little 
band of patriots falling suddenly upon them, in their sleep, a short 
and bloody conflict ensued, which resulted in the total defeat and 
rout of the enemy. Captain Huck was killed in the contest, and 
the command devolved upon the second officer, whose valor and 
exertions to retrieve the disaster, were in vain. The conflict 
had changed ground, so as to be directly around Mrs. Brattou'e 
house, and when it was ceased, Mrs. Bratton appeared upon the 
ground, administering relief to the wounded and dying. 

Among the prisoners was the officer by whose interposition the 
life of Mrs. Bratton had been saved. Actuated by a spirit of re- 
taliation, for the many enormities that had been inflicted by the 
British on their whig prisoners, the conquerors expressed a deter- 
mination to condemn this officer to death. The more humane 
remonstrated, but the majority were blinded to justice by a thirst 
for vengeance. When the officer learned the doom to which he 
was condemned, he disdained to plead for his life, but requested 
to be conducted to the presence of Mrs. Bratton. He seemed to 
be one of finer spirit than most of the officers in the British army, 
in the southern country. When brought before Mrs. Bratton, she 
instantly recognized him as the officer who had saved her life. 
Prompted by gratitude as well as mercy, she pleaded with his cap- 
tors for his life. At first they turned a deaf ear to her interces- 
sion ; but when in a simple and touching eloquence, she related 
the noble part he had taken in her deliverance, the stern purpos-:* 



CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE. 179 

of the conquerors relaxed, and he was spared. He resided A\ith 
her in mutual friendship until he was exchanged. This romantic 
incident is well attested. 

Another anecdote is told of Mrs. Bratton. On one occasion her 
husband had secretly stored a large quantity of ammunition near 
the house, but the royalists getting wind of it, a party was de- 
spatched to obtain it. Mrs. Bratton heard of their approach, and 
seeing no chance to preserve the much valued treasure from their 
conquest, resolved that if the whigs must Jose, the royalists should 
not gain it. She therefore laid a train from the depot of the am- 
munition, and just as the royalists came in sight, she fired it. The 
explosion that suddenly broke upon the ears of the foe, told them 
that their purpose was frustrated, and disappointed, they retraced 
their steps. 



X 



CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE. 

The impartial reader will question the justice of history, which 
has done so much for the memory of Andre, and left that of Hale 
in comparative oblivion. And yet we can discover but little differ- 
ence in their cases. Both were possessors of genius and taste, 
both were endowed with all excellent qualities and attainments, 
and both were impelled by a desire to serve the cause they res- 
pectively espoused, and both suffered a similar death, but under 
vastly different circumstances. And yet a magnificiently sculp- 
tured monument in Westminister Abbey, perpetuates the name 
of the English officer, while none know where sleeps the ashes 
of Hale, and neither stone nor epitaph tells us of the services ren- 



180 



CAPTAIN NATHAN HALR. 



dered by him ; while the first is honored in every quarter where 
the Enghsh language is spoken, the name of the latter is unknown 
to many of his countrymen. " There is something more than 
natural in this, if philosophy could find it out." 

Nathan Hale was not twenty years of age, when the first 
gun of the revolution broke upon the ears of the colonists. The 
patriotic cause at once aroused his enthusiastic love for liberty and 
justice, and without pausing for a moment to consider the pru- 
dence of such a step, his ardent nature prompted him at once, to 
throw himself into the ranks of his country's defenders. Distin- 
guished as a scholar, and respected, by all who knew him, for his 
brilliant talents, he was at once tendered a captain's commission 
in the light infantry. He served in the regiment commanded by 
Col. Knowlton, and was with the army in its retreat after the dis- 
astrous battle of Long Island. 

After the army had retreated from New York, and while it was 
posted on the heights at Harlem, the commander-in-chief earn- 
estly desired to be made acquainted with the force and contem- 
plated movements of the enemy, and for this purpose, applied to 
Col. Know^lton to select some individual capable of performing the 
hazardous and delicate service. Knowlton applied to Hale, who, 
on becoming acquainted with the wishes of Washington, immedi- 
ately volunteered his services. He stated, that his object in join- 
ing the army, was not merely for fame, but to serve the country ; 
that as yet, no opportunity had offered for him to render any sig- 
nal aid to her cause, and when a duty so imperative and so impor- 
tant as this was demanded of him, he was ready to sacrifice not 
only life, but all hope of glory, and to suffer the ignomy which its 
failure would cast upon his name. His friends endeavored to dis- 



CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE. 181 

suade liim from tlie undertaking, but lofty considerations of duty 
impelled him to the step. 

Having disguised himself as a schoolmaster, he crossed the 
sound at Fairfield, to Huntingdon, and proceeded thence to 
Brooklyn. This was in September, 1*776. When he arrived at 
Brooklyn, the enemy had already taken possession of New York 
He crossed over to the city, his disguise unsuspected, and pursued 
the objects of his mission. He examined all their fortifications 
with care, and obtained ervery possible information relative to the 
number of the enemy, their intentions, &c. Having accomplished 
all that he could, he left the city, and retraced his steps to Hun- 
tington. While here, waiting for a boat to convey him across tlie 
sound, his apprehension was effected. There are great discrepancies 
in the various accounts which are given of his arrest, but all agree 
that it was through the means of a refugee cousin, who detected 
liis disguise. According to one account, while he was at Hun- 
tingdon, a boat came to the shore, which he at first supposed to 
be one from Connecticut, but which proved to be from an English 
vessel lying in the sound. He incautiously approached the boat 
and was recognised by his tory relative, who was in the boat at the 
time. He w^as arrested, and sent to New York. ) 

There cannot be a more striking proof of the different value set 

upon the services of Andre and Hale by their respective nations^ 

than the fact afforded by the different manner of their arrest. 

There was not a single circumstance connected with the capture 

of Andre, but what is known to every reader of history, but in the 

case of Hale, who stands Andre's equal in every particular, it is not 

even known with certainty how he was apprehended. We have 

^ few uncertain legends relative to it, but these are widely different 

long him arrested on the sound, some on the island, and 
12 



182 CAPTAIN NATHAN HALR. 

others on the outskirts of the city. But there was one circum- 
stance connected with Hale's capture, which should enhance our 
sympathy for him. Andre fell into the American hands by means ' 
of the sagacity, watchfulness, and fidelity of our own soldiers ; but j 
Hale was betrayed by the base perfidy and treason of a renegadey 
relative,' And what two opposite phases of human nature does 
the contrast between these two incidents afi"ord ! In the first, we 
find three men, three poor men, so fixed in principle and deter- 
mined in right, that the most tempting offers — offers when an as- 
sent would have given them wealth, ease, and luxury — -were 
refused. Strong honesty overcame temptation, and they were 
content to struggle on in poverty, oblivion, and privation, with un- 
sullied hearts, rather than feast and riot in luxury. But in the 
latter incident, we find one of the most execrable acts recorded in 
history. The betrayal <)f Hale by his relative, contrasted with the 
stern integrity of Andre's captures, affords a most striking picture 
between virtue and vice, between lofty honor, and degraded base- 
ness. 

We are all aware of what followed the capture of Andre. He 
was tried before an honorable court, and while strict justice de- 
manded his life, the necessity was deplored by his judges, and his 
fate aroused in every heart the keenest sympathy and thedeepest 
sorrow. But how widely different was the unhappy end of the 
noble Hale ! He was surrendered to the incarnate fiend, Cun- 
ningham, the provost-marshal, and ordered to immediate execu- 
tion, Tvdthout even the formality of a trial. On the twenty-first of 
September, 1776, he was dragged to the spot designed for th 
purpose, and there accompanied by only a few privates, his sen 
tence was brutally executed. His manner was undaunted, and 
his soul never flinched in the moment of trial. Previous to the 



CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE. 18,^ 

execution, he had, by permission, addressed a few lines to his family, 
hut these, after his death, were destroyed by Cunningham, and 
ilie reason assigned for this was, " tliat the rebels should never 
know they had a man in their army, who could die with such 
firmness." The use of a bible, and the attendance of a ministei 
were denied him ; and thus surrounded by mocking lips and un 
pitying hearts, his noble soul took flight. 

\ It must be remembered, in measuring the character of Hale, tha 
( it was not hope of promotion, nor promise of pecuniary reward 
that induced him to take the step he did. Nothing but an earn- 
est wish to serve his country, impelled him to the course, and this 
circumstance removes every stigma that would otherwise hang 
upon him as a spy, and elevates him to the rank of a martyr. "T"' 
It is absurd to argue, that there is any difference between the cases 
of Andre and Hale. Both were apprehended within the enemy's, 
lines, disguised in assumed characters, and this made them amenable 
to the stern construction of military law. There is not a shadow 
of reason for elevating the character of Andre above that of Hale, 
Indeed, when we remember the last words of each, the American 
officer appears as the grandest hero of the two. " Bear witness," 
said Andre, " that I die like a brave man." His last thoughts were 
selfish, and he wished only for the preservation of his own unr 
stained honor. But the thoughts of Hale were upon his native 

/ land, '■'■he only lamented that he had but one- life to lose for his 
country.'''' \. 

Several efforts have been made, at different tiiffeS, to erect a 
monument to Kale. But it has no^yet been done. In 1835, con- 
gress voted a thousand doqars towards this object, but no action has 
since been taken upon it. It is a trite and often quoted saying, 



184 CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. 

"that republics are ungrateful." Is not tliis history a shameful 
evidence of its truth ? 

The late Dr. Dwight penned the following tribute to the memo- 
ry of Hale : — 

" Thus, while fond virtue wished in vain to save, 
Hale, bright and generous, found a hapless grave ; 
While Genius' living flame his bosom glow'd, 
And science charmed him to her sweet abode ; 
In worth's fair path, adventured far, 
The pride of peace, and rising grace of war " 



CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. 

In the montn of April m 1780 it was the intention of Captain 
Brant, the Indian chieftain, to make a descent upon the upper fort 
of Schoharie, but which was prevented by an unlooked for cir- 
cumstance. Col. Vrooman had sent out a party of scouts to pass 
over to the head waters of the Charlotte river, where resided cer- 
tain suspected persons, whose movements it was their duty to 
watch. " It being the proper season for the manufacture of maple 
sugar, the men were directed to make a quantity of that article, 
of which the garrison were greatly in want. On the 2d of April 
this party, under the command of Capt. Harper, commenced their 
labors, which they did cheerfully, and entirely unapprehensive of 
danger, as a fall of snow, some three feet deep, would prevent;, 
they supposed, the moving of any considerable body of the enemy, 
while in fact they were not aware of any body of the armed foe 
hort of Niagara. But on the Yth of April they were suddenly 
surrounded by a party of about forty Indians and Tories, tlie first 
knowledge of whose presence was the death of three of their party. 



CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. I S5 

The leader was instantly discovered in the person of the Mohawk 
chief, who rushed up to Capt. Harper, tomahawk in hand, and 
observ^ed ; ' Harper, I am sorry to find you here !' 

" ' Why are you sorry Captain Brant V replied the other. 

*' ' Because' replied the chief, ' I must kill you, although we 
were schoolmates in our youth*' — at the same time raising his 
natchet, and suiting the action to the word. Suddenly his arm 
fell, and with a piercing scrutiny, looking Ht«.rper full in the face, 
he inquired — ' Are there any regular troops in the fort in Scho- 
harie V Harper caught the idea in an instant. To answer truly, 
and admit there were none, as was the fact, would but hasten 
Brant and his warriors forward to fall upon the settlements at 
once, and their destruction would have been swiff and sure. He 
therefore informed him that a reinforcement of three hundred 
Continental troops had arrived to garrison the forts only two or 
three days before. This information appeared very much to dis- 
concert the chieftain. He prevented the farther shedding of 
blood, and held a* consultation with his subordinate chiefs. Night 
coming on, the prisoners were shut up in a pen of logs, and 
guarded by the Tories, while among the Indians controversy ran 
high whether the prisoners should be put to death or carried to 
Niagara. The captives were bound hand and foot, and were so 
near the council that Harper, who understood something of the 
Indian tongue, could hear the dispute. The Indians were for 
putting them to death, but Brant exercised his authority to effec- 
tually prevent the massacre. 

" On the following morning Harper was brought before the 
[ndians for examination. The chief commenced by saying that 



• Brant received an Eno-li«h education. 



186 CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. 

he was suspicious lie had not told him the truth. Hai-per, how- 
ever, although Brant was eyeing him like a basilisk, repeated his 
former statements, without the improper movement of a muscle, 
or any betrayal that he was deceiving. Brant satisfied of the 
truth of the story, resolved to retrace his steps to Niagara. Bu 
his warriors were disappointed in their hopes of spoils and victory 
and it was only with the greatest difficulty that they were pre 
vented from putting the captives to death. 

" Their march was forthwith commenced, and was full of pain, 
peril, and adventure. They met on the succeeding day with two 
loyalists who both disproved Harper's story of troops being at 
Schoharie, and the Captain was again subjected to a piercing 
scrutiny ; but he succeeded so well in maintaining the appearance 
of truth and sincerity as to arrest the upraised and glittering to- 
mahawk. On the same day an aged man, named Brown, was 
accidentally fallen in with and taken prisoner, with two youthful 
grandsons ; the day following being unable to travel with suffici- 
ent speed, and sinking under the weight of the burden imposed 
upon him, the old man was put out of the way with the liatchet. 
The victim was dragging behind, and when he saw preparations 
making for his doom, took an affectionate farewell of his little 
grandsons, and the Indians moved on, leaving one of their num- 
ber, with his face painted black — the mark of the executioner — 
behind with him. In a few moments afterward, the Indian came 
up, with the old man's scalp dangling from between the ramrod 
and the muzzle of his gun. 

"They constructed floats, and sailed down the Susquehana to 
the confluence of the Chemung, at which placf their land-travel- 
ling commenced. Soon after this, a severe trial and narrow es- 
cape befel the prisoners. During his mar u from Niagara on this 



CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. 1 S7 

expedition, Brant had detached eleven of his warriors, to fall once 
more upon the Minisink settlement, for prisoners. This detach- 
ment, as it subsequently appeared, had succeeded in taking cap 
tive five athletic men, whom they secured and brought with them 
as far as Tioga Point. The Indians slept very soundly, and the 
five prisoners had resolved, on the first opportunity, to make their 
escape. While encamped at this place during the night, one of 
the Minisink men succeeded in extricating his hands from the 
binding cords, and with the utmost caution, unloosed his four 
companions. The Indians were locked in the arms of deep sleep 
around them. Silently, without causing a leaf to rustle, they 
each snatched a tomahawk from the girdles of their unconscious 
enemies, and in a moment nine of them were quivering in the 
agonies of death. The two others were awakened, and springing 
upon their feet, attempted to escape. One of them was struck 
with a hatchet between the shoulders, but the other fled. The 
prisoners immediately made good their own retreat, aud the only 
Indian who escaped unhurt, returned to take care of his wounded 
companion. As Brant and his warriors approached this point of 
their journey, some of his Indians having raised a whoop, it wa«= 
returned by a single voice, with the death yell ! Startled at this 
unexpected signal. Brant's warriors rushed forward to ascertain 
the cause. But they were not long in doubt. The lone warrior 
met them, aud soon related to his brethren the melancholy fate 
of his companions. The effect upon the warriors, who gathered 
111 a group to hear the recital, was unexpressibly fearful. Rage, 
and a desire of revenge, seemed to kindle every bosom, and light 
every eye as with burning coals. They gathered around the pri 
soners in a circle, and began to make unequivocal preparations 
for hackin;^ them to pieces. Harper and his men, of course gave 



188 CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. 

themselves up for lost. While their knives were unsheathing, and 
their hatchets glittering, as they were flourished in the sunbeams 
the only survivor of the murdered party rushed into the circle and 
interposed in their favor. With a wave of the hand, as of a war 
rior entitled to be heard — ^for he was himself, a chief — silence was 
restored, and the prisoners were surprised by the utterance of ar 
earnest appeal in their behalf. He eloquently and impressivelj 
declaimed in their favor, upon the ground that it was not the} 
who murdered their brothers ; and to take the lives of the inno 
cent, would not be right in the eyes of the Great Spirit. His ap 
peal was effective. The passions of the incensed warriors were 
hushed, their eyes no longer shot forth the burning glances of re- 
venge, and their gesticulations ceased to menace immediate and 
bloody vengeance. 

" True, it so happened, that this chief knew all the prisoners — 
he having resided in the Schoharie canton of the Mohawks, du- 
ring the war. He doubtless felt a deeper interest in their behalf 
on that account. Still, it was a noble action, worthy of the proud- 
est era of chivalry, and in the balmy days of Greece and Rome, 
would have crowned him almost with ' an apotheosis and rights di 
vine.' The interposition of Pochohantas, in favor of Captain Smith, 
before the rude court of Powhaltan, was, perhaps, more romantic ; 
but when the motive which prompted the generous action of the 
princess, is considered, the transaction now under review, exhibits 
the most of genuine benevolence. Pochohantas was moved by 
the tender passion — the Mohawk Sachem, by the feelings of mag- 
nanimity, and the eternal principles of justice. It is a matter of 
regret, that the name of this high souled warrior is lost, as, alas! 
have been too many that might serve to relieve the dark and 
vengeful portraiture of Indian character, which it has so well 



CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. 189 

pleased the white man to draw ! The prisoners themselves were 
so impressed with the manner of their signal deliverance, that they 
justly attributed it to a direct interposition of Providence."* 

After the most acute sufferings from hunger and exhaustion 
the party at last arrived at Niagara. The last night of their jour 
ney, they encamped a short distance from the fort. In the morn- 
ing the prisoners were informed that they were to run the gaunt- 
let, and were brought out, where two parallel lines of Indians were 
drawn out, between which the prisoners were to pass, exposed to 
the whips and blows of the savages. The course to be ran, was 
towards the fort. Harper was the first one selected, and at the 
signal, sprang from the mark with extraordinary swiftness. An 
Indian near the end of the line, fearing he might escape without 
injury, sprang before him, but a blow from Harper's fist felled 
him ; the Indians enraged, broke their ranks and rushed afteH 
him, as he fled with the utmost speed towards the fort. The gar- 
rison, when they saw Harper approaching, opened the gates, and 
he rushed in, only affording sufficient time for the garrison to close 
the gates, ere the Indians rushed upon it, clamoring for the posses- 
sion of their victim. The other prisoners taking advantage of the 
breaking up of the Indian ranks, took different routes, and ail 
succeeded in reaching the fort without passing through the terrible 
ordeal, which was intended for them. 

• Stone's Life of Brant. 



190 A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER. 



A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER. 

" Col. Allen Mc Lane, who died at Wilmington, Del., in 
1829, at the patriarcliial age of 83,. was distinguished for his per- 
sonal courage, and for his activity as a partisan officer. He was 
long attached to Major Lee's famous legion of horse. While the 
British occupied Philadelphia, Mc Lane was constantly scouring 
the upper end of Bucks and Montgomery counties, to cut off the 
scouting parties of the enemy, and intercept their supplies of pro- 
visions. Having agreed for some purpose, to rendesvouz near 
Shoemakertown, Col. Mc Lane ordered his little band of troopers 
to follow at some distance, and commanded two of them to pre- 
cede the main body, but also to keep in his rear ; and if they dis- 
covered an enemy, to ride up to his side and inform him of it, 
without speaking aloud. While leisurely approaching the place 
of rendesvouz in this order, in the early gray of the morning, the 
two men directly in the rear, forgetting their orders, suddenly 
called out, " Colonel, the British !' faced about, and putting spurs 
to their horses, were soon out of sight. The colonel looking 
around, discovered that he was in the centre of a powerful am- 
buscade, into which the enemy had silently allowed him to pass 
without his observing them. They lined both sides of the road, 
and had been stationed there to pick up any straggling party of 
the Americans that might chance to pass. Liimediately on find- 
ing they were discovered, a file of soldiers rose from the side of the 
highway, and fired at the colonel, but without effect; and as he 
put spurs to his horse, and mounted the road-side into the woods, 
the other part of the detachment also fired. The colonel mii-acu- 
oiisly escaped ; but a shot striking his horse upon the flank, he 



A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER. 101 

dashed through the woods, and in a few minutes reacdied a paral- 
lel road upon the opposite side of the forest. Being familiar with 
the country, he feared to turn to the left, as that course led to the 
city, and he might be intercepted by another ambuscade. Turning 
therefore, to the right, his frightened horse carried him swiftly be- 
yond the reach of those who had fired upon him. All at once, 
however, on emerging from a piece of woods, he observed several 
British troops stationed near the road-side, and directly in sight 
ahead, a farm house, around which he observed a whole troop of 
the enemy's cavalry drawn up. He dashed by the troops near 
him without being molested, they belie\dng he was on his way 
to the main body to surrender himself. The farm-house was situ- 
ated at the intersection of two roads, presenting but two avenues 
by which he could escape. Nothing daunted by the formidable 
array before him, he galloped up to the cross roads, on reaching 
which, he spurred his active horse, turned suddenly to the right, 
and was soon fairly out of reach of their pistols, though as he 
turned, he heard them call loudly to surrender or die ! A dozen 
were instantly in pursuit ; but in a short time they all gave up 
the chase except two. Col. Mc Lane's horse, scared by the first 
wound he had ever received, and being a chosen animal, kept 
ahead for several miles, while his two pursuers followed with un- 
wearied eagerness. The pursuit at length waxed so hot, that, as 
the colonel's horse stepped out of a small brook which crossed the 
road, his pursuers entered it at the opposite margin. In ascend- 
ng a little hill, the horses of the three were greatly exhausted, so 
nuch so, that neither could be urged faster than a walk. Occa- 
ionally, as one of the troopers pursued on, a little in advance of 
his companion, the colonel slackened his pace, anxious to be at- 
tacked by one of the two ; but no sooner was his willingness dis- 



192 A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER. 

covered, than the other fell back to his station. They at length 
approached so near, that a conversation took place between them ; 

the troopers calling out, 'surrender you d d rebel, or we'll 

cut you in pieces.' Suddenly one of them rode up on the right 
side of the colonel, and, without drawing his sword, laid hold of 
the colonel's collar. The latter, to use his own words, " had pis 
tols which he knew he could depend on.'' Drawing one from the 
holster, he placed it to the heart of his antagonist, fired, and tum- 
bled him dead on the ground. Instantly the other cam*^ upon his 
left, with his sword drawn, and also seized the colonel by the col- 
lar of his coat. A fierce and deadly struggle here ensued, in the 
course of which Col. Mc Lane was desperately wounded in the 
back of his left hand, the sword of his antagonist cutting asun 
der the veins and tendons of that member. Seeing a favorable 
opportunity, he drew his other pistol, and with a steadiness of 
purpose, which appeared even in his recital of the incident, placed 
it directly between the eyes of his adversary, pulled the trigger, 
and scattered his brains on every side of the road ! Fearing that 
others were in pursuit , he abandoned his horse in the highway ; 
and apprehensive, from his extreme weakness, that he might die 
from loss of blood, he crawled into an adjacent mill-pond, entirely 
naked, and at length succeeded in stopping the profuse flow of 
blood occasioned by his wound." 



ANECDOTES OF COL. HORRY. 193 

ANECDOTES OF COL. HORRY. 

OoL. Horry served under General Marion. His adventures 
were numerous, and some of them very amusing. He has left a 
MS. Memoir from which Mr. Simms draws the particulars of seve- 
ral of his exploits. From Mr. Simms we quote :* 

" He was brave, and ambitious of distinction. This ambition 
led him to desire a command of cavalry rather than of infantry. 
But he was no rider — was several times unhorsed in combat, and 
was indebted to the fidelity of his soldiers for his safety. On 
one occasion his escape was more narrow from a different cause. 
Crossing the swamp at Lynch's Creek, to join Marion, in the dark, 
and the swamp, swimming, he encountered the bough of a tree, 
to which he clung, w^hile his horse passed from under him. He 
was no swimmer, and but for timely assistance from his followers, 
would have been drowned. Another story is told of him which 
places him in a scarcely less ludicrous attitude. He was ordered 
by Marion to wait, in ambush, the approach of a British detach- 
ment. The duty was executed with skill ; the enemy was com- 
pletely in his power. But he labored under an impediment in 
his speech, which, we may readily suppose, was greatly increased 
by anxiety and excitement. The word * fire' stuck in his throat, 
as ' Amen' did in that of Macbeth. The emergency was press- 
ing, but this only increased the difficulty. In vain did he make 
the attempt. He could say 'ti-ti — ^fi!' but he could get no fur- 
ther — the ' or' was incorrigible. At length, irritated almost to 
madness, he exclaimed, 'shoot, d — n you, shoot/ you know what 
I w^ould say ! Shoot, and be d d to you !' 

* Life of Marion, by W. Gil more Simms 



194 ANECDOTES OP COL. HORRY. 

" He was present, and acted bravely, in almost every affair of 
consequence, in the brigade of Marion. At Qiiiraly, Capt. Baxter 
a man distinguished by his great strength and courage, as well 
as size, and by equally great simplicity of character, cried out, 
* I am wounded, colonel !' ' Think no more of it, Baxter,' was 
the answer of Horry, ' but stand to your post.' ' But I can't 
stand' says Baxter, ' I am wounded a second time.' ' Lie down 
Uien, Baxter, but quit not your post.' ' They have shot me again 
colonel,' said the wounded man, ' and if I stay any longer here, 
I shall be shot to pieces.' ' Be it so, Baxter, but stir not,' was 
the order, which the brave fellow obeyed, receiving a fourth wound 
before the engagement was over." 

Another adventure is thus related by Horiy himself. " I was 
5ent" he writes, " by Gen. Marion to reconnoitre Georgetown. I 
proceeded with a guide through the woods all night. At the 
dav/n of day, I drew near the town. I laid an ambuscade, with 
tliirty men and three officers, near the road. About sunrise a 
chair appeared with two ladies escorted by two British officci-s. 
1 was ready in advance with an officer to cut them off, but reflect- 
ing that they might escape, and alarm the town, which would 
prevent my taking greater numbers, I desisted. The officers and 
chair halted very near me, but soon the chair went on, and the 
officers gallopped in retrogade into the town. Our party con- 
tinued in ambush, until 10 o'clock A. M. 

" Nothing appearing, and men and horses having eaten nothing 
for thirty-six hours, we were hungered, and retired to a plantation 
of my quarter-master's, a Mr. White, not far distant. There a 
curious scene took place. As soon as I entered the house .... 
fou?' ladies appeared, two of whom where Mrs. White and her 
daugjiter. I was asked what I wanted. I answered, food, re 



ANECDOTES OF COL. HORRY. 195 

freslim'nt. The other two ladies were those whom I had seen 
escorted by the British officers. They seemed greatly agitated, 
and begged most earnestly that I would go away, for the family 
was very poor, had no provisions of any sort, — that I knew that 
they were Whigs, and surely would not add to their distress. So 
pressing were they for my immediately leaving the plantation, 
that I thought they had more in view than they pretended. I 
kept my eye on Mrs. White, and saw she had a smiling counte- 
nance, but said nothing. Soon she left the room, and I left it 
also and went into the piazza, laid my cap, sword and pistols on 
the long bench, and walked the piazza ;— when I discovered Mrs. 
White behind the house chimney beckoning me. I got to her 
undiscovered by the young ladies, when she said : ' Colonel Horry, 
be on your guard ; these two young ladies, Miss F — and M — , 
are just from Georgetown ; they are much frightened, and I be- 
lieve the British are leaving it and may soon attack you. As to 
provisions, which they make such a rout about, I have plenty for 
your men and horses in yonder barn, but you must affect to take 
them by force. Hams, bacon, rice, and fodder, are there. You 
must insist on the key of the barn, and threaten to split the door 
with an axe if not immediately opened.' I begged her to say no 
more, for I was well acquainted with all such matters— to leave 
the ladies and everything else to ray management. She said 
' Yes ; but do not ruin us : be artful and cunning, or Mr. White 
may be hanged and all our houses burnt over our heads.' We 
both secretly returned, she to the room where the young ladies 
were, and I to the piazza I had just left." " This little narrative 
Nvill give some idea of the straits to which the good whig matrons 
of Carolina were sometimes reduced in those days. But no time 
was allowed Horry to extort the provisions as suggested. He had 



1% ANECDOTES OF COL. HORRY. 

scarcei)r got to the piazza wlien his videttes gave the alarm. Two 
shots warned him of the approach of the foe, and for^-etti ng that 
his cap, sabre and pistols, lay on the long bench on the piazza, 
Horry mounted his horse, lef<" the enclosure, and rushed into the 
melee. The British were seventeen in number, well mounted, and 
commanded by a brave fellow named Merritt. The dragoons 
taken by surprise, turned in flight, and, smiting at every step, tht 
partisans pursued them with fatal earnestness. But two men are 
reported to have escaped death or captivity, and they were theii 
captain and a sergeant. It was in approaching to encountei 
Merritt that Horry discovered that he was weaponless. 'My offi- 
cers,' says he, * in succession, came up with Captain Merritt, who 
was in the rear of his party, urging them forward. They engaged 
him. He was a brave fellow. Baxter, with pistols, fired at his 
breast, and missing him, retired ; Postelle and Greene, with 
swords, engaged him ; both were beaten off. Greene nearly lost 
his head. His buckskin breeches were cut through several 
inches .... I almost blush to say that this one British officer 
beat off" three Americans." The honor of the day was decidedly 
with Merritt, though he was beaten. He was no doubt a fai- bet- 
ter swordsman than our self-taught cavalry, with broadswords 
wrought out of mill saws. Merritt abandoned his horse, and es- 
caped to a neighboring swamp, from whence, at midnight, he 
got into Georgetown.* 

* Weems speaking for Horry, tells us that he met with Captain Merritt 
after the war in New Yo.-k, who recognized him, and told him that h^ had 
never had such a fritrht iu all his life as upon that occasion.' " Will you be- 
lieve me, sir," said he, " when I assure you that I went out (liat morning 
with my locks of as bntrht an auburn as ever curled upon the foreliead of 
youth, and by the time I had crawled out of the swan-.p into Geoigrtowii 
that night, they were as gray as a badger I'' 



A niGH-SPIRITED FAMILY. 197 

In one of his numerous encounters, while his men were indi- 
vidually engaged and scattered through the woods around him, 
he suddenly found himself alone, and assailed by a tory captain^ 
named Lewis, at the head of a small party. "Lewis was armed 
with a musket, and in the act of firing, when a sudden shot from 
the woods tumbled him from his horse, in the very moment when 
his own gun was discharged. The bullet of Lewis took effect on 
Horry's horse. The shot which so seasonably slew the tory, had 
been sent by the hands of a boy named Given. 



A HIGH SPIRITED FAMILY. 

Just after the defeat of Col. Ferguson at King's Mountain^ 
General Cornwallis in retreating towards Winnsboro' halted for 
the night at Wilson's plantation, near Steel creek. The British 
general, witli his staff, and the infamous Tarleton occupied the 
house of Mrs. Wilson. Supper was ordered and prepared for the 
British officers. Cornwallis in order to obtain a knowledge of 
his hostess, entered into conversation with her, and soon found 
that he was occupying the house of a noted whig leader, Robert 
Wilson, who at that time with his son John, was a prisoner in the 
Camden jail, and v/ho was the father and brother of more than a 
dozen active whig soldiers. The British general upon this, at- 
tempted to enlist the sympathies of his hostess with the royal cause. 
He observed, that it was a matter of sincere regret with him, to 
be compelled to wage a war, the worst calamities of which fell 
upon women. He was hiclined to believe, that there were many 

worthv men in the rebel army, who had been induced to take up 
13 



!9S 



\ HIGH SPIRITED FAMILY. 



arms by the delusive promises of unprincipled leaders, " Madam," 
he continued, " your husband and your son are my prisoners ; the 
fortunes of war may soon place others of your sons — perhaps all 
your kinsmen, in my power. Your sons are young, aspiring and 
brave. In a good cause, fighting for a generous and powerful 
king, such as George III., they might hope for rank, honor and 
wealth. If you could but induce your husband and sons to leave 
the rebels, and take up arms for their lawful sovereign, I would 
almost pledge myself, that they shall have rank and consideration 
in the British army. If you, madam, will pledge yourself to in- 
duce them to do so, I will immediately order their discharge." 

To this appeal, Mrs. Wilson replied, that her husband and 
sons were indeed dear to her, and that she would do anything 
her conscience would uphold to advance their interests. For five 
years, they had been engaged in the struggle for liberty, and had 
never faltered nor fled from the contest. " I have seven sons 
who are now, or have been, bearing arms," she continued, — " in 
deed my seventh son, Zaccheus, who is only fifteen years old, T 
yesterday assisted to get ready, to go and join his brothers in 
Sumpter's army. Now, sooner than see one of my family turn 
back from the glorious enterprise, I would take those boys, (point- 
ing to three or four small sons) and with them would myself en- 
list under Sumter's standard, and show my husband and sons how 
to fight, and if necessary, to die for their country !" " Ah ! Gene- 
ral !" broke in Tarleton, — " I think you've got into a hornet's 
nest ! Never mind, when we get to Camden, I'll take good care 
tliat old Robert Wilson never comes back asrain !" 

o 

" On the next day's march, a party of scouts captured Zaccheus, 
who was found on the flank of the British army, with his gun, 
endeavoring to diminish his Majesty's forces. He was immediately 



A HIGH-SPIRITED FAMILY. 199 

taken to the head of the column, and catechised by Cornwallis, 
who took the boy along with him on the march, telling him that 
he must act as his guide to the Catawba, and show him the best 
ford. Arriving at the river, the head of the army entered at the 
point designated by the lad, but the soldiers had scarcely gone 
half across, before they found themselves in deep w^ater — and 
drawn by a rapid current down the stream. Believeing that th« 
boy, on whom he had relied, to show him the best ford, had pur- 
posely brought him to a deep one, in order to embarrass his 
march, the general drew his sword, and flourishing it over him 
swore he would cut off his head for his treachery. Zaccheus re- 
plied, that he had the power to do so, as he had no arms, and 
was his prisoner ; ' but sir,' said he, ' don't you think it would be a 
cowardly act for you to strike an unarmed boy with your sword ? 
If I had but the half of your weapon, it w^ould not be so cowardly ; 
but then you know it would not be so safe !' 

" Struck by the lad's cool courage, the general became calmer — 
told him he was a fine fellow, and that he would not hurt a hair 
of his head. Having discovered that the ford was shallow enough 
by bearing up stream, the British army crossed over in safety, and 
proceeded towards Winnsboro'. On this march, Cornwallis dis- 
missed Zaccheus, telling him to go home and take care of his 
mother, and to tell her, to keep her boys at home. After he 
reached Winnsboro', Cornwallis dispatched an order to Rawdon, 
to send Robert Wilson and his son John, with several others, to 
Charleston, carefully guarded. Accordingly in November, about 
the 20th., Wilson, his son and ten others, set off under the escort 
of an officer and fifteen or twenty men. Below Camden, on the 
Charleston route, parties of British soldiers and trains of waggons 
were continually passing, so that the officer had no fear of the 



200 A HIGH-SPIRITED FAMILY. 

Americans, and never dreamed of the prisoners attempting an es 
cape. Wilson formed plans, and arranged everything several 
times, but owing to the f>resence of large parties of the enemy, 
they could not be*executed. At length, being near Fort Watson, 
they encamped before night, the pi'isoners being placed in the 
yard, and the guard in the portico and house. A sentinel was 
posted in the portico over the stock of arms, and all hands went 
to providing for their evening repast. 

" Having bribed a soldier to buy some whiskey, for it had been 
a rainy day, the prisoners pretended to drink freely, and one of 
chem seemingly more intoxicated than the rest, insisted upon 
treating the sentinel. Wilson followed him as if to prevent him 
from giving him the whiskey, it being a breach of military order. 
Watching a favorable opportunity, he seized the sentinel's musket, 
and the drunken man, suddenly becoming sober, seized the sentinel. 
At this signal the prisoners rushed to the guns in the portico, 
while the guard taking the alarm, rushed out of the house. In 
the scramble for arms, the prisoners succeeded — drove the soldiei-s 
mto the house, at the point of the bayonet, and the whole guard 
surrendered at discretion. Unable to take off their prisoners, 
Wilson made them all hold up their right hands and swear never 
again to bear arms against the cause of ' liberty and the continen- 
tal congress,' and then told them that they might go to Charleston 
on parole ; but if he ever caught one of them in arms again, he 
would ' hang him up to a tree like a dog.' 

" Scarcely were they rid of their prisoners, before a party of 
British dragoons came in sight. As the only means of escape, 
:hey separated and took to the woods. Some of them reached 
Marion's camp at Snow Island, and Wilson, with two or three 



ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT. 201 

others, arrived safely at Mecklenburg — a distance of over tw? 
hundred miles, through a country overrun by British troops."* 



ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT. 

" Captain Plunkett, a high-spirited Irishman, whose attach- 
ment to the cause of liberty had led him to seek a commission in 
the continental army, had, by the chances of war, been compelled 
to give up his sword, and to surrender himself a prisoner to the 
enemy. Previously to this untoward event, by the suavity of his 
manners, and uniformly correct conduct, he had rendered himself 
an acceptable guest in many families in Philadelphia, and parti- 
cularly so, to one of the society of Friends, who, however averse 
to warfare, were not insensible of the claims of those to their re- 
gard, who, by the exercise of manly and generous feelings, de- 
lighted to soften its asperities. There was among them, a female, 
mild and gentle as a dove, yet, in firmness of mind, a heroine, in 
personal charms, an angel. She saw the sufferings of the captive 
soldier, and under the influences of pity, or perhaps a more pow- 
erful passion, resolved, at all hazards, to relieve him. It acciden- 
tally happened that the uniform of Captain Plunkett's regiment, 
bore a striking resemblance to that of a British corps, which was 
frequently set as a guard over the prison in which he was confined. 
A new suit of regimentals was, in consequence, procured and con- 
veyed, without suspicion of sinister design, to the captain. On the 
judicious use of them rested the hoj^es of his fair friend to give 



'Women of the Revolution. 



202 ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PI.UNKETT. 

him freedom. It frequently happened that officers of inferioT 
grade, while their superiors affected to shun all intercourse with 
the rebels, would enter the apartments of the prisoners, and con- 
verse with them with kindness and familiarity, and then at their 
pleasure, retire. Two sentinels constantly walked the rounds 
without, and the practice of seeing their officers walking in and 
out of the interior prison, became so familiar, as scarcely to attract 
notice, and constantly caused them to give way without hesitation, 
as often as an officer showed a disposition to retire. Captain 
Plunkett took the advantage of this circumstance, and putting on 
his new coat, at the moment that the relief of the guard was taking 
place, sallied forth, twitching a switch carelessly about, and order- 
ing the exterior door of the prison to be opened, walked without 
opposition into the street. Repairing without delay, to the habi- 
tation of his fair friend, he was received with kindness, and for 
some days secreted and cherished with every manifestation of af- 
fectionate regard. 

" To elude the vigilance of the British Guards, if he attempted to 
pass into the country in his present dress, was deemed impossible. 
Woman's wit, however, is never at a loss for contrivances, while 
swayed by the influence of love or benevolence. Both, in this in 
stance may have aided invention. Plunkett had three strong 
claims in his favor ; he was a handsome man — a soldier — and an 
Irishman. The general conduct of the Quakers, exempted the 
sect in a great measure from suspicion, in so great a degree, in 
deed, that the barriers of the city were generally entrusted to the 
care of their members, as the best judges of the characters of those 
persons who might be allowed to pass them. A female Friend 
from a farm near the city, was in the family, on a visit to a rela- 
tive. A pretext was formed to present her with a new suit of 



ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT. 203 

clothes, in order to possess that which she wore when she entered 
the city. Captain Phmkett was immediately disguised as a wo- 
man, and appeared at the barrier, accompanied by his anxious 
deliverer. 

" ' Friend Roberts,' said the enterprising enthusiast, ' may this 
damsel and myself pass to visit a friend at a neighboring farm V 

" * Certainly,' said Roberts, ' go forward.' The city was spee- 
dily left behind, and Captain Plunkett found himself safe, under 
the protection of Colonel Allen M'Lane, his particular friend." 



ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION OF GEN. SCHUYLER. 

The scouting parties of the enemy, emboldened by the ^eeble 
state of the country, and encouraged by the high rewards offered 
them, were exceedingly active in the securing of influential Ameri- 
cans, and conveying them to Canada as prisoners. By stratagems, 
and sometimes by force, they fell upon those persons, marked as 
their victims, and by rapid marches would manage to escape be- 
yond pursuit almost before their outrages would be known. Many 
of these attempts were successful, but others signally failed. The 
latter was the case with one of their most audacious attempts, in 
the se<;uring of Gen. Schuyler ; they, also, failed in their object with 
Gen. Gansevoort. 

Gen. Schuyler's residence was in the suburbs of Albany. He 
had retired from the army, but still was of vast consequence and 
influence to the American cause. The importance that he assu- 
med in the control of aflfairs, made it an espod/l object with Hal- 
dimand, the British commander in Canad/y. '/; ooruro his pei"son. 



204 ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION 

A desppTMte plot was, therefore, set on foot. John Waltermeyer, 
a notorious Tory partizan, was entrusted with the execution of the 
design, and with a company of whites and Indians, he proceeded 
to Albany, and prepared to entrap his anticipated \nctira. The 
General had been cautioned often of the danger to which he was 
subjected by such attempts; and the frequency with which influ- 
ential citizens were entrapped, and captured, was sufficient cause 
for him to exercise every vigilance and caution. He had, there- 
fore, added to his usual household, a guard of six men, who were, 
by turns, on duty day and night. 

The evening of a sultry day in August, was selected as the oc- 
casion to make the attempt. The general and his family were 
all gathered in the front hall of his house, and the doors were all 
thrown wide open, in order to admit all the cooling air possible, 
when a servant announced that a stranger at the back gate re- 
quired the presence of the general, on a matter of business. A 
message so singiilar, at once excited suspicion. Unfortunately, 
the evening was so very warm, that the servants had dispersed. 
The three sentinels just relieved from duty, had retired, and the 
others, who should have been at their post, were stretched on the 
grass in the garden, The doors were hastily closed and fastened, 
while the family hurried to the upper rooms, the general to arm 
himself, and the others for security. They presently discovered 
the house surrounded by a body of armed men, and almost imme- 
diately was heard the crash of heavy blows against the doors be- 
low. The general threw up a window to arouse the guard, and 
with the hope that it might alarm the town, or bring assistance 
from some quarter. A violent struggle was n^w heard below. 
The three guards who were within the house, had been aroused, 
and were endeavoring to drive the assiillants back. But by an 



OF GEN. SCHUYLER. 



20i 



unfortunate incident, they were without their weapons, and had 
only the weight of their persons to oppose in resistance. Mrs. 
Church, a daughter of the general, had perceived, some hours be- 
fore, her Httle son playing with the muskets, and not supposing 
they would be wanted, while she feared the consequences of their 
being within reach of the child, had caused them to be removed, 
while she neglected to inform the guard of the circumstance. 
But the brave fellows, nothing daunted, opposed, themselves, un- 
armed, to the besieging troop, and by dealing blows as soundly 
as they could with their fists, they managed for a few moments to 
keep them at bay, but their overwhelming force soon overcome 
the resistance, and they rushed into the house. While this strug- 
gle was going on, the alarmed and terrified ladies above, were in 
an agony of fear at the remembrance that in their bustle of es- 
caping, an infant had been left in the nursery, which was situated 
on the first floor. Mrs. Schuyler was about fi}^ng to its rescue, but 
the general prevented her, when Margaret, the third daughter, 
rushed forth, and hastily descending a private stairway, reached 
the room, and snatched the babe from the cradle, where it was 
lying in undisturbed repose. But as she was hurrying from the 
room with her valued burthen, a tomahawk, hurled by an unseen 
hand, glanced by her side, and buried itself in the wall, carrying 
with it a remnant of her dress. Undismayed by this circumstance, 
or by the violent commotion in the hall, she hastened to the same 
private way by which she had descended, when in rapid flight to 
tlie rooms above, to her terror, she was confronted by Walter- 
meyer, the leader of the gang, who exclaimed — " Wench, where 
is your master ?" With admirable presence of mind, she replied — 
" Gone to arouse the town." Alarmed at this, he hurried by, per- 
mitting her to escape to the room where tlie family wa? gathered. 



206 adventup.es of dr. caldwell. 

who, in dreadful apprelie .on, were awaiting the issue of her da- 
ring and heroic exploit. 

Waltermeyer hastily summoned his followers from the draw- 
ing room, where they were engaged in plundering the plate, and 
"who reluctantly desisted from their work, to listen to the orders of 
their leader. At this moment the general threw up a window 
and called out — " Come on my brave fellows, surround the hous 
and secure the villains who are plundering." The party terrified 
at this, and supposing that they were surrounded, made a preci- 
pitate retreat from the house, carrying with them the three men 
who had so heroically defended the house, one of whom was 
wounded. Waltermeyer himself had received a bullet from one 
of the general's pistols, but was only slightly wounded. By this 
time the city was alarmed, and the citizens came hurrying to the 
spot, but not before the entire body of assailants had fled. 

The three guard vrere conveyed into Canada, and were restored 
after the war. To each the general beaueathod a farm in reward 
for his services. 



ADVENTURES OF DR. CALDWELL. 

The Rev. David Caldwell, a Presbyterian minister in North 
Carolina, was very much subjected to the persecutions of the loy- 
alists. At one time, while he was absent, a party of British cam 
to his house and occupied it, turning Mrs. Caldwell out of doors 
who was obliged to seek refuge in the smoke house, where she 
remained for two days with no other food than a little dried fruit 
After remaining for two days on the plantation, during which 



advi:ntures of dr. caldwell. 2^7 

time tliey had destroyed everything, they prepared to leave, but 
before doing so, in order that nothing should be left undone 
which their hatred could suggest to do, the valuable library of 
Dr. Caldwell, containing books it was impossible to replace, and 
manuscripts that had cost years of study and labor, was wantonly 
burned. A large fire was built for the purpose, and the books 
brought in armsfull and cast upon the flames. 

" The persecution of Dr. Caldwell continued while the British 
occupied that portion of the state. His property was destroyed, 
and he was hunted as a felon ; snares were laid for him, and pre- 
tences used to draw him from his hiding places ; he was com- 
pelled to pass nights in the woods, and ventured only at the most 
imminent peril to see his family. Often he escaped captivity or 
death, as it were, by a miracle. At one time when he had ven- 
tured home on a stolen visit, the house was suddenly surrounded 
by armed men, who seized him before he could escape, designing 
to carry him to the British camp. One or two were set to guard 
him, while the others went to gather such articles of provisions 
and clothing as could be found worth taking away. Wten they 
were nearly ready to depart, the plunder collected being piled in 
the middle of the floor, and the prisoner standing beside it with 
his guard, Mrs. Dunlap, who with Mrs. Caldwell had remained 
in an adjoining apartment, came forward. With the promptitude 
and presence of mind for which women are often remarkable in 
sudden emergencies, she stepped behind Dr. Caldwell, leaned 
over his shoulder, and whispered to him as if intending the ques- 
tion for his ear alone^ asking if it was not time for Gillespie and 
his men to be there. One of the soldiers who stood near caught 
the words, and with evident alarm demanded what men were 
meant. The lady replied that she was merely speaking to her 



208 ADVENTURES OF DR. CaLDWELL 

brother. In a moment all was confusion ; the whole party waa 
panic-struck ; exclamations and hurried questions followed ; and 
in the consternation produced by this ingenious, though simple 
manoeuvre, the tories fled precipitately, leaving their prisoner and 
their plunder. The name of Gillespie was a scourge and terror 
to the loyalists, and this party knew themselves to be within the 
limits of one of the strongest whig neighborhoods in the state." 

Tlie plantations of Dr. Caldwell and his brother Alexander, 
were near each other. One evening, during Alexander's absence 
from home, two soldiers entered his house, and began rudely to 
seize upon everything they saw worth carrying off, having ordered 
his mfe to prepare supper for them. They were supposed to be 
long to the army of Cornwallis, at that time foraging in the neigh 
borhood. Not knowing what to do, Mrs. Caldwell sent to her 
brother-in-law for advice. He sent word in answer, that she must 
treat the men ciinlly, and have supper ready as soon as practicable ; 
but that slie must observe where they placed their guns, and set 
the table at the other end of the house. He promised to come 
over in the meantime, and conceal himself in a haystack close by ; 
and she was to inform him as soon as the men had set down to 
supper. These directions were implicitly followed. The house 
was a double cabin, containing two rooms on the same floor. 
Wliile the men were leisurely discussing their repast, Dr. Cald 
well quietly entered the other apartment, took up one of the guns 
and stepping to the door of the room where they were so com- 
fortably occupied, presented the weapon, and informed them they 
were his prisoners, and their lives would be the forfeit, should they 
make the least attempt to escape. They surrendered immedi- 
ately, and Dr. Caldwell marched them to his own house, where 



COLONEL WILLETT. 21:9 

fie kept tliem till morning, and then suffered them to depart on 
Uieir parole."* 



COLONEL VVILLE FT. 

Colonel Willett, possesses an enviable reputation for the 
skil) and courage he manifested in the border wars of New York, 
during the revokition. He was engaged in many successful en- 
terprises, two of which won for him especial honor. During the 
si^ge of Fort Stanwix, General Herkimer made an attempt to re~ 
lieve it. He was approaching with a large body of militia, when 
it was resolved to make a diversion in his favor. Two hundred 
men were placed on parade for the purpose, and Col. Willett en- 
trusted with the command. But meanwhile, Gen. Herkimer fell 
into an ambuscade of the enemy, when ensued the fearful battle 
of Oriskany. The sally, however, was made by Col. Willett, 
which was most successful. The camp of the enemy was attacked, 
they were routed, and large quantities of stores fell into the hands 
of the conqueror. With so much skill was this attack made, that 
although two camps, one of the British, the other of the Indians, 
fell successively into the hands of Willett, and in returning to the 
fort with the conquered stores, he encountered some opposition by 
Colonel St. Leger, yet the enterprise was accomplished without 
the loss of a single man. 

But the relief of the fort still being an object of the utmost im- 
portance, and the failure of General Herkimer, to come to their 
id, convmcmg thera that he had met with some misfortune, h 



Women of the Revolution.' 



210 COLONEL WILLETT. 

was thougbt advisable to make another effort to secure the assis- 
tance so much needed. The militia of Tyron county, having for- 
merly expressed a strong attachment to Col. Willett, it was sup- 
posed that if he could appear among them, it might have the ef- 
fect of inspiriting them with fresh resolution, and induce them ? 
second time to attempt the raising of the seige. Actuated b} 
these considerations, Col. Willett resolved to make tlie hazardou 
attempt of reaching the settlements down the river. From th 
memoirs of Col. Willett, by his son, we draw the particulars of 
this perilous enterprise : 

"About 10 o'clock, on the night of the 10th of August, [I'Z'Z'Zj, 
Col. Willett left the fort, accompanied by Major Stockwell, whom 
he selected for this purpose, as he was a good hunter, and was 
well acquainted with the Indian method of travelling in the wil- 
derness. They passed privately through the sally-port of the fort, 
and proceeding silently along the marsh, they reached the river, 
which they crossed by crawling over a log, unperceived by the 
enemy's sentinels, who were not many yards from them. Having 
thus happily succeeded in crossing the river without being discov- 
ered, they advanced cautiously into a swampy wood, where they 
soon found themselves so enveloped in darkness, as to be unable 
to keep a straight course. While in a state of uncertainty as to 
the safest step for them to take, they were alarmed by the barking 
of a dog, at no great distance from them. Knowing that the In- 
dians, after their camp had been broken up on the other side of 
the river, had removed to this side, they thought it most advisable 
to remain where they were, until they should have light suffi- 
cient to direct their course. Placing themselves therefore againsC 
a large tree, they stood perfectly quiet for several hours. At 
ength, perceiving the morning-star, they again set out, but in 



COLONEL WILLETT. 211 

stead of proceeding in a direct line to reach the settlement, they 
took nearly a northern direction, which after a few miles brought 
them again to the river. With the intention of concealing their 
route, in case their tracks should be discovered, they stepped in 
and out of the river several times, crossing occasionally to the 
opposite side, until reaching a spot where they could completely 
conceal their track by stepping on stones, they left the river, took 
a north course for a few hours, and then travelled east until night, 
without making a single stop. As it was necessary for them to 
be encumbered as little as possible, they had left the fort with no 
other weapon, but a spear for each, eight feet in length, which 
was intended to serve as a staff as well as a weapon of defence. 
They had taken no baggage nor blanket ; and all the provision 
they had with them, consisted of a few crackers and cheese, which 
they had put in their pockets, together with a quart of canteen 
spirits. Having halted for the night, they refreshed themselves 
with such provision as they had ; after which, their situation being 
too perilous to think of kindling a fire, they lay down to sleep 
wrapped in each other's arms. Though it was then the height of 
summer, yet the night was so cold, as, together with hard travel- 
ling the day before, and sleeping on the ground without any cov- 
ering, made them feel very stiff when they arose the next morning. 
Colonel Willett had so severe a rheumatic attack in one of his 
knees, as to cause a limp in his walk for several hours. Setting 
out once more, they directed their course farther to the south, and 
about 9 o'clock came to an opening in the woods, occasioned by 
a windfall. In this opening, among the fallen trees, they found 
a forest of raspberries and blackberries, quite ripe, which afforded 
them a most delicious and refreshing repast. Though the dav 
was very warm, yet, deriving new vigor from their banquet of 



212 INTREPID CONDUCT 

berries, they proceeded expiditously towards the settlement, where 
they arrived at three o'clock, ha\'iiig travelled in this time about 
fifty miles. On arriving at Fort Dayton, a small stockade fort at 
the German Flats, they received a hearty welcome from Colonel 
Weston, who was stationed there with his regiment." 

Proceeding from Fort Dayton, Colonel Willett soon joined a 
detachment of troops under Gen. Leamand, marching to the re- 
iief of the fort. The British General Register for 1111, speaking 
of this enterprise, says : — " They passed by night through the 
besieger's works, and in contempt of the danger and cruelty of 
the savages, made their way fifty miles through pathless and un- 
explored morasses, in order to raise the country and bring relief 
to the fort. Such an action demands the praise even of an 
enemy.'* 



INTREPID CONDUCT OF MAJOR JAMES. 

After the fall of Charleston, the British commander in South 
Carolina issued a proclamation, granting protection to all those 
of the rebels, who would lay down their arms, and refrain from 
the further levying of war on his majesty. The apparently hope 
less condition of the cause and the entire want of an organized 
force for resistance, induced many worthy citizens to avail them- 
elves of England's off"ered protection. But scarcely had they 
done so, when another proclamation appeared, to the effect that 
tliey were not only to submit to English authority, but be com- 
pelled to take up arms in support of the royal cause. This pro- 
ceeding, looked upon, by the people, as an infamous trap, aroused 



OF MAJOR JAMES. 213 

their indignation. The residents of one district when about to 
avail themselves of the offers in the first proclamation, had the 
second placed before them. At a loss to understand such con- 
flicting offers, they despatched a delegate to the nearest British 
authority in order that the matter should be explained, and their 
doubts satisfied. Major John James was chosen as this delegate, 
" Under this appointment. Major James repaired to George- 
town, the nearest British post, which was then under the command 
of one Captain Ardesoif. Attired as a plain backwoodsman, 
James obtained an interview with Ardesoif, and, in prompt and 
plain terms, entered at once upon the business for which he came. 
But when he demanded the meaning of the British protection, 
and asked upon what terms the submission of the citizens was to 
be made, he was peremptorily informed that ' the submission 
must be unconditional.' To an inquiry, vv^hether the inhabitants 
were to be allowed to remain upon their plantations, he was an- 
swered in the negative. ' His Majesty,' said Ardesoif, ' offers you 
a free pardon, of which you are undeserving, for you all ought to 
be hanged ; but it is only on condition that you take up arn^^s in 
his cause.' James, whom we may suppose to have been very far 
from relishing the tone and language in which he was addressed, 
very coolly replied, that ' the people whom he came to represent, 
would scarcely submit on such conditions.' The republican lan- 
guage of the worthy Major provoked the representative of royalty. 
The word ' represent,' in particular, smote harshly on his ears ; 
something, too, in the cool, contemptuous manner of the Major, 
may have contributed to his vexation. '■Represent P he exclaimed 
in a fury — 'You d d rebel, if you dare speak in such lan- 
guage, I will have you hung up at the yard arm !' Ardesoif, it 

must be known was a sea-captain. The ship which he command- 
14 



214 A NOVEL SITUATIO^. 

ed lay in the neighboring river. He used only an habitual forin 
of speech when he threatened the ' yard-arm,' instead of the tree. 
Major James gave him no time to make the correction. He was 
entirely weaponless, and Ardesoif wore a sword ; but the inequal 
ity, in the moment of his anger, was unfelt by the high-spirited 
citizen. Suddenly rising, he seized upon the chair on which he 
had been sitting, and floored the insolent subordinate at a blow; 
then hurrying forth without giving his enemy time to recover, he 
mounted his horse, and made his escape to the woods before pur- 
suit could be attempted. 

" His people were soon assembled to hear his story. The ex- 
actions of the British, and the spirit which James had displayed, 
in resenting the insolence of Ardesoif, at once aroused their own. 
Required to take the field, it did not need a moment to decide 
* under which kinof.' 



A NOVEL SITUATION. 

Tn the fall of 1781 a man was captured in the vicinity of Fort 
Plain, by seven Indians and hurried off into the wilderness. At 
night the party halted at a deserted log tenement. The Indians 
built a fire, and after supper gathered around it discussing the 
misfortunes of their expedition which thus far had resulted in but 
a few scalps, and only one prisoner. They therefore resolved to 
kill and scalp their captive in the morning, and return toward the 
Mohawk with the hope of better success. Upon this conclusion 
they stretched themselves upon the floor for sleep, with their pris- 
oner between two of them, who was bound by cords which were 
also fastened to the bodies of his keepers. The whole of the dis- 



A NORTEL SITUATION. 215 

ciission carried ofi by the savages was understood by the captive, 
who, iu the greatest alarm at his approaching fate, began lo tax 
his ingenuity for some way to escape. The Indians were soon in 
a sound slumber, but their white companion kept wide awake, 
vainly striving to devise a plan for his escape, and beginning to 
despair and to yield himself to his doom, when, as he accidentally 
moved his hand upon the floor, it rested upon a fragment ol 
broken window glass. 

" No sooner did the prisoner seize the glass, than a ray of hope 
entered his bosom, and with this frail assistant he instantly set 
about regaining his hberty. He commenced severing the rope 
across his breast, and soon it was stranded. The moment was 
one of intense excitement ; he knew that it was the usual custom 
for one or more of an Indian party to keep watch and prevent 
the escape of their prisoners. Was he then watched ? Should 
he go on, with the possibility of hastening his own doom, or wait 
and see if some remarkable interposition of Providence might 
save him ? A monitor within whispered, " Faith without works 
is dead," and after a little pause in his efforts, he resumed them, 
and soon had parted another strand ; and as no movement was 
made, he tremblingly cut another ; it was the last, and as it yield- 
ed he sat up. He was then enabled to take a midnight view of 
the group around him, in the feeble light reflected from the 
moon throuo;h a small window of a single sash. The enemy ap- 
peared to sleep, and he soon separated the cords across his limbs. 
Ele then advanced to the fire and raked open the coals, which re- 
lected their partial rays upon the painted visages of those mis- 
guided heathen, whom British gold had bribed to deeds of dam- 
ning darkness ; and being fully satisfied that all were sound 
asleep, he approached the door. 



21G A NOVEL SITUATION. 

The [iidiaiis had a large watch-dog outside the house. He 
cautiously opened the door, sprang out and ran, and as he had 
anticipated, the dog was yelling at his heels. He had about 
twenty rods to run across a cleared field before he could reach the 
woods : and as he neared them, he looked back, and in the clear 
light of the moon, saw the Indians all in pursuit. As he neared 
the forest, they all drew up their rifles and fired upon him, at 
which instant a strong vine caught his foot and he fell to the 
ground. The volley of balls passed over him, and bounding to 
his feet, he gained the beechen shade. Not far from where he 
entered, he had noticed the preceding evening, a large hollow log, 
and on coming to it, he sought safety within it. The dog, at first 
ran several rods past the log, which served to mislead the party, 
but soon returned near it, and ceased barking, without a v4sit to 
the entrance of the captive's retreat. 

' The Indians sat down over him, and talked about their pris- 
oner's escape. They finally came to the conclusion, that he had 
either ascended a tree near, or that the devil had aided him in his 
escape, which to them appeared the most reasonable conclusion. 
As morning was approaching, they determined on taking an early 
breakfast, and returning to the river settlements, leaving one of 
their number to keep a vigilant watch in that neighborhood, for 
their captive, until afternoon of the following day, when he was 
to join his fellows at a designated place. This plan settled, an 
Indian proceeded to an adjoining field, where a small flock of 
sheep had not escaped their notice, and shot one of them. While 
enough of the mutton was dressing to satisfy their immediate 
wants, others of the party struck up a fire, which they chanced, 
most unfortunately for his comfort, to build against the log directly 
opposite their lost prisoner. The heat became almost intolerable 



A NOVEL SITUAT10^ 217 

to the tenant of the fallen basswood, before the meat was cooked 
— besides, the smoke and steam which found their way through 
the small worm-holes and cracks, had nearly suffocated him, ere 
he could sufficiently stop tlieir ingress, which was done by thrust- 
ing a quantity of leaves and part of his own clothing into the 
crannies. A cough, which he knew would insure his death, he found 
it most difficult to avoid : to back out of his hiding place would 
also seal his fate, while to remain in it much longer, he felt con 
sdous, would render his situation, to say the least, not enviable. 
" After suffering most acutely in body and mind for a time, the 
prisoner (who was again such by accident), found his miseries al- 
leviated when the Indians began to eat, as they then let the fire 
burn down, and did not again replenish it. After they had dis- 
patched their breakfast of mutton, the prisoner heard the leader 
caution the one left to watch in that vicinity, to be wary, and soon 
heard the retiring footsteps of the rest of the party. Often during 
the morning, the watchman was seated or standing over him. 
Not having heard the Indian for some time, and believing the 
hour of his espionage past, he cautiously crept out of the log ; 
and finding himself alone, being prepared by fasting and steamirg 
for a good race, he drew a bee-line for Fort Plain, which he 
reached in safety, believing, as he afterwards stated, that all the 
Indians in the state could not have overtaken him in his flight."^ 

* Simrns' " History of Schoharie Co " 



21S THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY. 

THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY, 

After the retreat from Long Island, and while the American 
army was stationed at Harlem Heights, the English had posses- 
sion of a small island at the mouth of the Harlem river, near Hurl 
Gate in the East river, which was covered by one of their ships of 
war. From this ship, on the twenty-second day of September 
1776, two seamen deserted and went to the quarters of General 
Heath. Upon being examined, they stated that the cannon had 
been removed from the island to the frigate, and that but a few 
men, with a number of oflScers, and a large quantity of provisions 
and stores, remained there at this time. On receiving this infor- 
mation a surprise of the island was determined upon, and three 
flat-bottomed boats were at once prepared for the purpose, each 
boat to carry two hundred and forty men. They were under the 
command of Colonel Jackson, Major Logan, and a Major whose 
name is not known. At the favorable opportunity, they floated 
down the Harlem river, at night, and with the tide, with the hope 
of arriving to their destination about the break of day. 

Major Henly who was mortified at being excluded from the 
enterprise, applied to General Heath for the privilege of accom 
panying the expedition as a volunteer, which with some reluctance 
was granted. Says the biographer of Major Henley, " Perhaps 
of the many young and gallant spirits, who then crowded to fight 
beneath the banners of liberty, none were more ardent m her 
cause, or more amiable and better loved by his cotemporaries than 
was Major Henley. Young, courageous, aspiring and sanguine 
n the cause of his native country, he considered no duty too ar- 
duous, no deprivation too great, no suflering too severe, in assist- 
ing her advancement to independence." 



THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY. 219 

*'A couple of hours after midniglit, tlie boats receiv^ed their 
.jomplemeiit of men, and were proceeding slowly down the narrow 
and winding creek. There was no light to guide them on their 
way, save that which issued from the bright stars of heaven, 
shining from its broad spread canopy. There was no voice nor 
whispering to break the perfect silence of that hour ; and the i-ip- 
plings caused by the prows of the boats passing through the 
water, was all the indication of their making any progress. They 
had nearly gained the scene of their operations, when lo ! as they 
considered themselves secure from any annoyance, and all things 
promising the best success to the undertaking, they were hailed 
from the shore by one of the American sentinels. 

" ' Stop !' cried he, ' or I will fire !' 

'' This faithful sentinel had not, unfortunately, been informed 
of the expedition. They replied fi-om the boats : 

" ' We are friends !' 

" He repeated his challenge and said : 

" ' You must stop and come to the shore.' 

" ' Hush we are friends,' said they from the boats, ' keep si 
lence.' 

" This interruption occurred opposite the point where General 
Heath was to stand a spectator of the attack upon the island. 
Major Henly seeing the general and several officers there, leaped 
from the boat into the water, which was some feet deep, and 
waded to the shore, and in an instant was before him. 

" ' Sir, will it do V said he, taking the general by the hand. 

" ' I see nothing to the contrary.' 

" ' Then sir, it shall do,' answered the major in an emphatic 
manner, at the same time shaking the general smartly by the 
hand ; in a moment he was on board the boat a^ain. He had 



220 THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY. 

no sooner seated himself than a command was given to the oars- 
men to proceed. 

" ' Pull away for your lives.' 

" The sentinel heard the order, presented his piece and fired, 
but without doing any injury. Early dawn was just lighting up 
the horizon when they reached the island ; the precise momen 
they had intended. The boat in which the officers were, landed 
The two seconds in command were to spring from the boat, one 
on each side, and lead on the troops from the other two boats, 
which were to land each side of the first. The enemy's guard 
charged them on their gaining the shore, having been apprised 
of the attack by the discharge of the sentinel's musket, but were 
instantly driven back. Owing to some unaccountable misunder- 
standing, or something that deserves a less honorable designation, 
the men in the other two boats, instead of joining them, lay at 
a distance fi-om the shore irresolute and inactive. The British, 
observing that the Americans were not supported, returned 
warmly to the charge ; while the latter finding themselves de- 
serted, and Colonel Jackson having received a shot in his leg, re- 
turned to their boat. 

" They lost fourteen of their number ; and painful to relate. 
Major Henly, who had proved himself most active in this unfor- 
tunate afi"air, while getting over the side of the boat, was shot 
through the heart by a musket ball. He gave one shrill cry, and 
leaping some two or three feet fi-om where he stood, fell dead 
amonof his comrades, coverinof them with his blood. 

" Thus fell a brave and gallant soldier. Ho had just entered 
into manhood, with a robust health and strong arm, and bad it 
pleased the Great Disposer for him to have continued for a longei 
period upon the stage of life, he would probably, from his early 



ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER. 221 

promise, have been a theme of eulogy and admiration. His body 
was consigned to the dust with military honors, and the soldiers 
who gathered around the remains of their much loved companion, 
wept at his untimely fall. 

" The success of the expedition in which he was engaged would 
have been very probable had only one of the other boats landed 
but, in the opinion of all concerned, the two would have insured 
the full execution of the whole plan. The delinquents were ar 
rested and tried by a coui*t-martial. One of the captains was 
cashiered." 



ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER. 

In the year 1778 a notorious Tory leader, McDonald, at the 
head of three hundred Indians and Tories, were committing great 
ravages on the frontiers^ and audaciously carrying on their depre- 
dations in the vicinity of the forts of Schoharie, which were all 
so weakly garrisoned, that they could offer no resistance to them. 
Col. Harper, stationed at one of the forts, perceiving the wanton 
barbarities of the enemy, resolved to undertake a journey to Al- 
bany, in order to procure suflBcient aid to arrest them in their 
career. It was an expedition full of peril, but he sallied boldly 
orth, and although the enemy lined his entire route, he undaunt- 
edly resolved to secure help for the perishing inhabitants, or sac- 
rifice his own life in the attempt. His first day's journey "was 
uninterrupted^ and at evening he rode up to a tory tavern, coolly 
demanded a room, and without apparent fear or apprehension 
retired for the night. But he was not unprepared. Presently 



222 ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER 

there was a loud rapping at the door. He demanded what was 
wanted ? " We want to see Col. Harper," was the reply. Hp 
deliberately arose, unlocked the door, and taking his sword and 
pistols, seated himself on the bed to receive his visitors. They 
were four, and entered blusteringly, and with threatening aspects. 
The colonel raised his pistols and said, " step one inch over tha"" 
mark, and you are dead men," There was something in his d» 
termined and resolute aspect that arrested their progress. Their 
boldness fled before his unflinching eye, and irresolute they looked 
from one to the other at a loss how to proceed. In vain did they 
look for a sign of weakness in his manner ; the least show of such 
a thing would have proved his destruction. Overawed, and 
abashed, they retreated from his presence with what grace they 
could, and left him master of the field. Still, however, feeling 
himself insecure, he did not sleep again that night, but kept a 
wary watch. In the morning he boldly mounted his horse, and 
although the enemy were concealed in the vicinity of the house, 
for some reason he was allowed to pass unmolested. But an In- 
dian followed him almost the entire rest of the way ; whenever 
the colonel would turn and present a pistol he would run with 
all his might, but again steal cautiously in his rear. Uninjured 
the colonel reached Albany, procured aid, hastened back to Scho- 
harie, and wreaked a sudden retribution on the marauders. 

The following account of another succesful enterprise of Col. 
Harper, we find in Campbell's " Annals of Tryon County." 

"In the year 177*7, he had command of one of the forts in 
Schoharie county, and of all the frontier stations in that region. 
He left the fort in Schoharie, and came out through the woods to 
Harpersfield, in the time of making sugar, and thence laid his 
course for Cherry Valley, to investigate the state of things there • 



ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPFR. 223 

and as he was pursuing a blind kind of Indian trail, and was as- 
cending what are now called Decatur Hills, he cast his eye for- 
ward, and saw a company of men coming directly towards him, 
who had the appearance of Indians. He knew that if he at- 
tempted to flee from them, they would shoot him down ; he re- 
solved to advance right up to them, and make the best shift for 
himself he could. As soon as he came near enough to discern 
the white of their eyes, he knew the head man and several others ; 
the head man's name was Peter, an Indian with whom Col. Har- 
per had often traded, at Oquago before the revolution began. The 
colonel had his great-coat on, so that his regimentals were con- 
cealed, and he was not recognised ; the first words of address of 
Col. Harper's was, ' How do you do, brothers ?' 

" ' Well — how do you do, brother ?' was the reply. 

" ' On a secret expedition : and which way are you bound 
brothers ?' 

" ' Down the Susquehannah, to cut oflf the Johnstown settle- 
ment.' 

" ' Where do you lodge to night V inquired the colonel. 

" ' At the mouth of Schenevas creek,' was the reply. Then 
shaking hands with them, he bid them good speed and proceeded 
on his journey. 

" He had gone but little way from them, before he took a cir- 
cuit through the woods, a distance of eight or ten miles, on to the 
head of Charlotte river, where were a number of men making 
sugar ; ordered them to take their arms, two days provisions, a 
canteen of rum, and a rope, and meet him down the Charlotte, at 
a small clearing called Evan's Place, at a certain hour that after- 
noon ; then rode with all speed through the woods to Harpers 
field; collected all the men there making sugar, and being armed 



224 ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER. 

and victualed, each man with his rope, laid his course for Char- 
lotte. When he arrived at Evan's Place, he found the Charlotte 
men in good spirits, and when he mustered his men, there were 
fifteen, including himself, exactly the same number as there were 
of the enemy ; then the colonel made his men acquainted with 
the enterprise. 

" They marched down the river a little distance, and then bent 
their course accross the hill to the mouth of Schenevas creek ; 
when they arrived at the brow of the hill, where they could over- 
look the valley where the Schenevas flows, they cast their eyes 
down upon the flats, and discovered the fire around which the 
enemy lay encamped. 

" ' There they are,' said Col. Harper. They descended with 
great stillness, forded the creek, which was breast high to a man ; 
after advancing a few hundred yards, they took some refreshment, 
and then prepared for the contest. Daylight was just beginning 
to appear in the east. When they came to the enemy, they lay 
in a circle with their feet towards the fire, in a deep sleep ; their 
arms and all their implements of death, were all stocked up ac- 
cording to the Indian custom, when they lay themselves down 
for the night; these the colonel secured by carrying them off a 
distance, and laying them down. Then each man taking his rope 
in his hand, placed himself by his fellow ; the colonel rapped his 
man softly, and said, ' Come, it is time for men of business to be 
on their way,' and then each one sprang upon liis man, and after 
a most severe struggle they secured the whole of the enemy. 

" After they were all safely bound, and the morning had so far 
advanced, that they could discover objects distinctly, says the In- 
dian Peter, ' Ha ! Col. Harper ! now I know thee — why did T 
not know thee yesterday V 



NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES. 225 

" ' Some policy in war, Peter.' 

" ' Ah, me find em so now.' 

" The colonel marched the men to Albany, delivered them up 
to the commanding officer, and by this well executed feat of valor, 
he saved the Johnstown settlement from a wanton destruction." 



NARROW ESCAPE OF COLONEL SNIPES. 

During the revolutionary contest in South Carolina, the most 
malignant enmity existed between the whigs and tories, which 
often occasioned scenes and incidents of the most ferocious and 
terrible nature. One of these which occurred to Col. Snipes of 
Marion's brigade, we extract from the " Life of Marion," by 
Simms. 

" Col. Snipes was a Carolinian, of remarkable strength and cour- 
age. He was equally distinguished for his vindictive hatred of 
the tories. He had suffered some domestic injuries at their hands, 
and he was one who never permitted himself to forgive. His 
temper was sanguinary in the extreme, and led him, in his treat 
ment of the loyalists, to such ferocities as subjected him, on more 
than one occasion, to the harshest rebuke of his commander. It 
is not certain at what period in the war the following occurrence 
took place, but it was on one of those occasions when the partisan 
militia claimed a sort of periodical privilege of abandoning their 
general to look after their families and domestic interests. Avail- 
ng himself of this privilege, Snipes pursued his way to his plan- 
tation. His route was a circuitous one, but it is probable that he 
pursued it with little caution. He was more distinguished for au- 



226 NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES. 

dacity than prudence. The Tories fell upon his trail, which they 
followed with the keen avidity of the sleuth-hound. Snipes 
reached his plantation in safety, unconscious of pursuit. Having 
examined the homestead and received an account of all things 
done in his absence, from a faithful driver, and lulled into se- 
curity by the seeming quiet and silence of the neighborhood, 
he retired to rest, and, after the fatigues of the day, soon fell 
mto a profound sleep. From this he was awakened by the ab- 
rupt entrance and cries of his driver. The faithful negro apprised 
him, in terror, of the approach of the Tories. They were already 
on the plantation. His vigilance alone prevented them from 
taking his master in bed. Snipes, starting up, proposed to take 
shelter in the barn, but the driver pointed to the flames already 
bursting from that building. He had barely time to leave the 
house, covered only by his night shirt, and by the counsel of the 
negro, to fly to the cover of a thick copse of briars and brambles, 
within fifty yards of the dwelling, when the Tories surrounded it. 
The very task of penetrating this copse, so as to screen himself 
from sight, efi'ectually removed the thin garment which concealed 
his nakedness. The shirt was torn from his back by the briars, and 
the skin shared in its injuries. But, once there, he lay efli'ectually 
concealed from sight. Ordinary conjecture would scarcely have 
supposed that any animal larger than a rabbit would have sought 
or found shelter in such a region. The Tories immediately seized 
upon the negro and demanded his master, at the peril of his life. 
Knowing and fearing the courage and the arm of Snipes, they did 
not enter the dwelling, but adopted the less valorous mode of set- 
ting it on fire, and, with pointed muskets, surrounded it, in waiting^ 
for the moment when their \actim should emerge. He, within 
a few steps of them, heai'd their threats and expectations, and bfj- 



NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES. 



ie lu- 



Aeld all their proceedings. The house was consumed, and tli( 
tense heat of the fire subjected our jDartisan, in his place of retreat, 
to such torture, as none but the most dogged hardihood could have 
endured without complaint. The skin was peeled from his body 
in many places, and the blisters were shown long after, to persons 
v/ho are still living. But Snipes too well knew his enemies, and 
what he had to expect at their hands, to make any confession. 
He bore patiently the torture, which was terribly increased, when 
finding themselves at fault, the Tories brought forward the faith- 
ful negro who had thus far saved his master, and determined to 
extort from him, in the halter, the secret of his hiding-place. But 
the courage and fidelity of the negro proved superior to the ter- 
rors of death. Thrice was he run up the tree, and choked 
nearly to strangulation, but in vain. His capability to endure 
proved superior to the will of the Tories to inflict, and he was at 
length let down, half dead,— as, in truth, ignorant of the secret 
which they desired to extort. What were the terrors of Snipes 
in all this trial ? What his feelings of equal gratitude and appre- 
hension ? How noble was the fidelity of the slave — based upon 
what gentle and affectionate relationship between himself and 
master — probably from boyhood ! Yet this is but one of a thou- 
sand such attachments, all equally pure and elevated, and main- 
tained through not dissimilar perils." 



228 A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 



A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 

" In the early part of the war. a sergeant and twelve armed 
Dien undertook a journey through the wilderness, in the slate of 
New Hampshire. Their route was remote from any settlements, 
and they were under the necessity of encamping over night in 
the woods. Nothing material happened the first day of their ex- 
cursion ; but early in the afternoon of the second, they, from au 
emminence discovered a body of armed Indians advancing to- 
wards them, whose number rather exceeded their own. As soon 
as the whites were perceived by their red brethren, the latter made 
signals, and the two parties approached each other in an amicable 
manner. The Indians appeared to be much gratified with meet- 
ing the sergeant and his men, whom they observed they consid- 
ered as their protectors ; said they belonged to a tribe which had 
raised the hatchet with zeal in the cause of liberty, and were de- 
termined to do all in their power to repel the common enemy 
They shook hands in friendship, and it was, ' How d'ye do pro^ 
how d'ye do joro,' that being their pronunciation of the word 
brother. When they had conversed with each other, for some 
time, and exchanged mutual good wishes, they at length separa- 
ted, and each party travelled in a different direction. After pro- 
ceeding to the distance of a mi'e or more, the sergeant, who was 
acquainted with all the different tribes, and knew on which side 
of the contest they were respectively ranked, halted his men and 
addressed them in the following words : 

" ' My brave companions, we must use the utmost caution, or 
this night may be our last. Should we not make some extraor- 
dinary exertions to defend ourselves, to-morrow's sun may find uh 



A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 229 

sleeping never to wake. You are surprised comrades, at my 
words, and your anxiety will not be lessened, when I inform ^.ou, 
that we have just passed our most inveterate foe, who,, under tlu^ 
mask of pretended friendship you have witnessed, would lull us 
to security, and by such means, in the unguarded moments of our 
midnight slumber, without resistance, seal our fate.' 

" The men with astonishment listened to this short harrano^ue ; 
and their surprise was greater, as not one of them had enter- 
tained the suspicion but they had just encountered friends. They 
all immediately resolved to enter into some scheme, for their mu- 
tual preservation and destruction of their enemies. By the propo- 
sal of their leader, the following plan was adopted and executed : 

"The spot selected for their night's encampment, was near a 
stream of water, which served to cover their rear. They felled a 
large tree, before which on the approach of night, a brilliant fire 
was lighted. Each individual cut a log of wood about the size 
of his body, rolled it nicely in his blanket, placed his hat upor 
the extremity, and laid it before the fire ; that the enemy might 
be deceived, and mistake it for a man. After logs equal in num 
ber to the sergeant's party were thus fitted out, and so artfullji 
arranged, that they might be easily mistaken for so many soldiers 
the men with loaded musk-ets placed themselves behind the fuller 
tree, by which time the shades of evening began to close around 
The fire was supplied in fuel, and kept burning brilliantly until 
late in the evening, when it was suffered to decline. The critical 
time was now approaching, when an attack might be expected 
from the Indians ; but the sergeant's men rested in their place of 
concealment with great anxiety, till near midnight, without per- 
ceiving any movement of the enemy. 
15 



230 A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 

" At length a tall Indian was discovered tlirougli the glimmer- 
ing of the fii'e, cautiously moAdng towards them, making no noise, 
and apparantly using every means in his power to conceal him- 
self from any one about the camp. For a time his actions showed 
him to be suspicious, that a guard might be stationed to watch 
any unusual appearance, who would give the alarm in case of 
danger ; but all appearing quiet, he ventured forward more boldly 
rested upon his toes, and was distinctly seen to move his finger as 
he numbered each log of wood, or what he supposed to be a hu- 
man being quietly enjoying repose. To satisfy himself more 
fully, as to the number, he counted them over a second time, and 
cautiously retired. He was succeeded by another Indian, who 
went through the same movements, and retired in the same man- 
ner. Soon after the whole party, sixteen in number, were dis- 
covered, approaching, and greedily eyeing their supposed victims. 
The feelings of the sergeant's men can better be imagined tl^an 
described, when they saw the base and cruel purpose of their en- 
emies, who were now so near, that they could scarcely be re- 
strained from firing upon them. The plan however, of the sergeant 
was to have his men remain silent in their places of concealment 
till the muskets of the savages were discharged, that their own 
fire might be more eff'ectual, and opposition less formidable. 

" Their suspense was not of long duration. The Indians, in a 
body, cautiously approached, till within a short distance, they 
then halted, took deliberate aim, discharged their pieces upon in- 
animate logs, gave the dreadful war whoop, and instantly rushed 
forward, with tomahawk and scalping kmfe in hand, to despatch 
the living, and obtain the scalps of the dead. As soon as they 
had collected in close order, more effectually to execute their hor 
rid intentions, the party of the sergeant, with unerring aim, dis- 



A GALLANT COMBAT. 2'A\ 

charged their pieces, not on logs of wood, but perfidious savages, 
not one of whom escaped destruction by the snare into which 
their cowardly and blood-thirsty dispositions had led them." 



A GALLANT COMBAT. 

Soon after the capture of Charleston, Capt. Watson, at the 
head of a party of mounted Rangers, conceived the idea of sur- 
prising a party of Tories encamped near Orangeburgh. He was 
joined by William Butler, who commanded a small body of ca- 
valry, some fifteen in number. Butler was burning with the de- 
sire to avenge the most brutal and atrocious murder of his father, 
wliich had occurred a short time before. He had been surround- 
ed in a house by a large body of Tories, and in view of the supe- 
rior numbers, himself and party had capitulated, when they were 
marched out of the house one by one, and deliberately cut to 
pieces. The elder Butler, was singled out by the blood-thirsty 
leader of the party, who slew him with his own hand. Fired by 
this remembrance, young Butler, afterward so distinguished in 
the annals of the south, let no opportunity pass for wreaking his 
vengeance on the enemy. On this occasion the whole party, 
under Watson, set out, at near sundown, and rode rapidly towards 
heir destination. On their route they captured a Tory, who un- 
fortunately afterwards escaped, and thus their hope of meeting 
their adversaries unprepared, was destroyed. Watson prudently 
advocated for return, but the fiery Butler, still mourning his mur- 
dered parent's memory, earnestly urged an advance, and avowed 
his determination to proceed with his own command, whether as- 



232 A GALLANT COMBAT. 

sisted by Watson or not. Watson was of too chivalrous a nature 
to turn liis back upon his friend, and they, therefore, hurried for- 
ward upon their enterprise. It was after daylight when they ar- 
rived near the place where they expected to find the Tory encamp- 
ment. They descried two men standing alone, and Butler, Wat- 
son, and Varney, a sergeant of renowned courage, rode up to arrest 
them. Suddenly Watson cried out, " Beware ! the whole body 
of the enemy are at hand !" The whole party were close at his 
heels, when suddenly the Tories, sprang from their ambuscade, 
and poured into the devoted body of patriots, a destructive and 
terrible fire. The heroic Watson, and the intrepid Varney, with 
several others, tumbled wounded from their horses. Butler, alone 
of all the officers, was unwounded. " Suffer me not," exclaimed 
Watson, to him, " to fall into their hands." Butler sprang for- 
ward, and seizing the bodies of his friends, unmindful of the fire 
poured in by the enemy, he triumphantly bore them into the 
midst of his own party. 

It was seen that the Tories doubled the Whigs, while to give 
them a greater preponderance, a part of the Whigs took flight 
and fled. But those that remained, were every one a hero, and 
prepared to conquer or fall. To add to the desperation of their 
situation, their ammunition, in the conflict that ensued, soon gave 
out, and the Royalists began to advance upon them. Butler, 
however, was equal to the emergency. He formed his men in 
compact order, and placing himself at their head, charged impe- 
tuously on the enemy. With nothing but their swords and their 
nigh courage to support them, the heroic band hurled themselves 
upon their adversaries, and with so much violence and impetuous 
fury was the crash, that the enemy were staggered, and begau to 
fall into confusion. Butler's sword swept everything before liirn, 



A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. 2'S3 

and fell upon his opponent like a thunderlolt, each blow nerved 
by the recollection of his murdered father. The Httle band bore 
their antagonists along, who, in vain, though far superior in num- 
ber, endeavored to bear up against their assailants. They began 
to yield, and to seek safety in flight ; their resistance grew weak, 
and Butler following up his charge with still greater resolution, 
they were driven into the swamp in their rear, and the wliigs re- 
mained master of the field. It had been a hard fouo-ht conflict 

o 

against a superior number, and the victory was gallantly and hero- 
ically achieved. But alas ! it was attained by a fearful price. 
Those gallant heroes, Watson and Varney, lay weltering in their 
blood. As the party passed the place where they lay, Varney, by 
an effort, raised himself on one arm — waved his hand, while a 
gleam of triumph passed athwart his countenance — fell back, and 
his book of life was closed. They dug with their swords, soldier's 
graves, and buried them on the field of victory.* 



A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. 

" On the river Ogechee, in the state of Georgia, was stationed 
Captain French, with a detachment of about forty British regu- 
lars. At the same place, lay five British vessels ; of these, four 
were armed, the laigest mounting fourteen guns. 

" Col. John White, of the Georgia line, meditating the capture 
of this station, was able to call to his assistance but four indi- 
viduals, Captain Etholen, and three privates. Resolute in their 

* Garden. 



234 A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. 

purpose, notwithstanding the disparity of force tl.ey would be 
obliged to encounter, these five soldiers of fortune boldly ad- 
vanced to the enemy's post. 

"Having arrived in the neighborhood of it at night, they 
kindled numerous fires, the light of which reached their adversa- 
lies, so arranging them, as to represent, by them, the lines of a 
considerable camp. To render their stratagem the more impo- 
sing, they then rode hastily about, in various directions, in imita- 
tion of the staff of an army, disposing their sentinels, and issuing 
their orders in a loud voice. 

" The artifice succeeded, and Captain French supposed that he 
was menaced by a large body of Americans. Accordingly, on 
being summoned by Col. White, he surrendered his detachment, 
ihe crews of the five vessels, amounting to nearly fifty in number, 
with the vessels themselves, and one hundred and fifty stand of 
ftrras. 

"But the diflaculty of the enterprising captors was not yet 
terminated. The British soldiers and sailors might discover the 
imposition that had been practised on them, and attempt a 
rescue ; and five armed men were not sufficient to restrain, by 
force, near a hundred without arms. The same genius, however^ 
hat had planned the first part of the adventure, was competent 
o the completion of it. 

" With great seriousness, and some emotion in his manner, 
Ool. White told Capt. French, that in consequence of certain 
•ecent enormities, perpetrated by a detachment of British and 
loyalists, his troops ware so deeply exasperated, that he was afraid 
vhey would advance on the captured party, and in violation of his 
commands put them to death : that he had, already, experienced 
great difficuhy in restraining them; and should they be placed 



A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. 235 

as a guard over the prisoners, lie was convinced their rage would 
become ungovernable. He, therefore, directed the British Captain 
to follow, with his whole party, Capt. Etholen, and two of the 
soldiers as guides, who would conduct them, without delay, to a 
place of safety, and good quarters. For his kindness and hu- 
manity. Col. White received the thanks of his prisoners, who 
immediately marched off, in a body, with their small escort? 
anxious to hasten their pace, lest the enraged Americans should 
advance on them, and cut them to pieces. 

" The Colonel and one soldier remained behind, with a view, as 
he informed Captain French, to restrain by his presence any 
improper violence his troops might be inclined to offer, and to 
conduct their march at some distance in the rear. Meanwhile, he 
collected as expeditiously as possible, a body of mihtia from the 
neighboring district. Placing himself at the head of these, who 
were mostly mounted on good horses, he soon overtook his 
prisoners, whom he found safe under their guides, and rejoicing 
in the generous treatment they had experienced. 

" This affair of partisan gallantry, though not very momentous 
m its consequences, was, notwithstanding, so extraordinary in its 
nature, conducted with so much address, marked with such a 
chivalrous spirit of enterprise, and so honorable to the officers 
who conceived and executed it, that it should be much more 
generally known and admired than it is." 



236 NARRATIVE OP THE 



NARRATIVE OF THE BARONESS RElDESEi,. 

Evert American reader is familiar with this lady's name. She 
was the lady of one of Burgoyne's Major-Generals, a distinguished 
German officer, and with two infant children, accompanied her 
husband in the disastrous campaign of Burgoyne. She was a 
beautiful and accomplished woman, and the devotion which 
prompted her to follow her lord to the camp and tented field, and 
the sufferings and privations she there was compelled to undergo, 
have always excited the admiration and sympathy of the world. 
The sufierings which beset the English army on their retreat, 
after the battle of Saratoga, exceeds the power of words to de- 
scribe. But no history gives so vivid and powerful a picture of 
the retreat, as the simple and unafiected narrative of Baroness 
Reidesel. General Wilkinson, who introduces her account into 
his memoirs, remarks, that she suffered more than the horrors of 
the grave, in their most frightful aspect ; and he adds, that he 
had " more than once seen her charming blue eyes bedewed with 
tears at the recital of her suflferings." 

" As we had to march still further, I ordered a large calash to 
be built, capable of holding my three children, myself and two 
female servants ; and in this manner we moved with the army in 
the midst of the soldiery, who were very merry, singing songs, 
and panting for action. We had to travel through almost im- 
passable woods, and a most picturesque and beautiful country, 
which was abandoned by its inhabitants, who had repaired to the 
standard of General Gates : they added much to his strength, as 
they were all good marksmen, and fitted by habit For the specieJi 
of warfare the contending parties were then engaged in ; and 



I 



BARONESS REIDESEL. 237 

the love of their country inspired them with more than ordinary 
courage. The army had shortly to encamp. I generally re- 
mained about an hour's march in the rear, where I received daily 
visits from my husband. The army was frequently engaged in 
small affairs, but nothing of importance took place ; and as the 
season was getting cold. Major Williams, of the artillery, pro- 
posed to have a house built for me, with a chimney, observing 
that it would not cost more than five or six guineas, and that the 
frequent change of quarters was very inconvenient to me : it was 
accordingly built, and was called the Block-house, from its square 
form, and the resemblance it bore to those buildings. 

" On the 19th of September, an affair happened, which, though 
it turned out to our advantage, yet obliged us to halt at a place 
called Freeman's Farm ; I was an eye-witness to the whole affair, 
and as my husband was engaged in it, I was full of anxiety, and 
trembled at every shot I heard. I saw a great number of the 
wounded, and, what added to the distress of the scene, three of 
them were brought into the house in which I took shelter. One 

o 

was a Major Harnage, of the sixty-second British regiment, the 
husband of a lady of my acquaintance ; another was a lieutenant, 
married to a lady with whom I had the honor to be on terms of 
mtimacy ; and the third was an officer of the name of Young. 

" In a short time afterwards I heard groans proceeding from a 
room near mine, and knew they must have been occasioned by 
the sufferings of the last mentioned officer, who lay writhing with 
his wounds. 

" His mournful situation interested me much ; and the more 
so, because the recollection of many polite attentions, received 
from a family of that name during my visit to Englund, was still 
forcibly impressed on my mind. I sent to him, and begged him 



238 NARRATIVE OF THE 

to accept my best services, and afterwards furnished liim with 
food and refresliments ; lie expressed a great desire to see me, 
politely calling me his benefactress. I accordingly visited him, 
and found him lying on a little straw, as he had lost his equip 
age. He was a young man eighteen or nineteen years of age 
and really the beloved nephew of the Mr. Young, the head of th 
family I have mentioned, and the only son of his parents. This 
last circumstance was what he lamented most ; as to his j^ain, he 
thought lightly of it. He had lost much blood, and it was 
thought necessary to amputate the leg, but this he would not 
consent to, and of course a mortification took place. I sent him 
cushions and coverings, and my female friends sent him a mat- 
tress. I redoubled my attention to him, and visited him every 
day, for which I received a thousand wishes for my happiness. 
At last his limb was amputated, but it was too late, and he died 
the following day. As he lay in the next room to me, and the 
partition was very thin, I distinctly heard his last sigh, when his 
immortal part quitted its frail tenement. 

" But severer trials awaited us, and on the Yth of October, our 
misfortunes began. I was at breakfast with my husband, and 
heard that something w^as intended. ■ On the same day I expected 
Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, and Frazer, to dine with us. I saw 
a great movement among the troops ; my husband told me it 
was merely a reconnoisance, which gave me no concern, as it often 
happened. I walked out of the house, and met several Indians 
in their war dresses, with guns in their hands. When I asked 
them where they were going, they cried out, '-'• war ! wor^''^ 
meaning that they were going to battle. This filled me with 
apprehension, and I had scarcely got home before I heard re 



BARONESS REIDESEL. 2\i^ 

ports of cannon and musketry, wliicli grew louder by degrees, till 
at last the noise became excessive. 

About four o'clock in the afternoon, instead of the guests 
whom I expected, General Frazer was brought on a litter, mor- 
tally wounded. The table, which was already set, was instantly 
removed, and a bed placed in its stead for the wounded general. 
I sat trembling in a corner ; the noise grew louder, and the alarm 
increased ; the thought that my husband might perhaps be 
brought in, wounded in the same manner, was terrible to me, and 
distressed me exceedingly. General Frazer said to the surgeon, 
' Tell me if my wound is mortal ; do not flatter me.' The ball 
had passed through his body, and, unhappily for the general, he 
had eaten a very hearty breakfast, by which the stomach was 
distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, had passed through 
it. T heard him often exclahn with a sigh, " fatal ambition! 
Poor General Burgoyne ! Oh ! my poor wife /" He was asked 
if he had any request to make, to which he replied, that, ' If 
General Burgoyne mould permit it, he should like to be buried, at 
six o''clock in the evening, on the top of a mountain, in a redoubt 
which had been built there.^ 

" I did not know which way to turn ; all the other rooms were 
full of sick. Towards evening I saw my husband coming ; then 
I forgot all my sorrows, and thanked God that he was spared to 
me. He ate in great haste, with me and his aid-de-camp, behind 
the house. We had been told that we had the advantage over 

he enemy, but the sorro^vful faces I beheld told a different tale ; 

nd before my husband went away he took me aside, and said 
werything was going very badly, and that I must keep myself in 
readiness to leave the place, but not to m-^ntion it to any ono. 



210 NARRATIVE OF THE 

I made the pretence that T would move the next morning into 
my new house, and had everything- packed up ready. 

" Lady Ackhmd had a tent not far from our house ; in this 
sh.e slept, and the rest of the day she was in the camp. All of a 
sudden a man came in to tell her that her husband was mor- 
tally wounded, and taken prisoner. On hearing this she became 
very miserarble. — We comforted her by telling her that the wound 
was very slight, and advised her to go over to her husband, to 
do which she would certainly obtain permission, and then she 
could attend him herself. She was a charming woman, and very 
fond of him. I spent much of the night in comforting her, and 
then went again to my children, whom I had put to bed. 

"I could not go to sleep, as I had General Frazer and all the 
other wounded gentlemen in my room, and I was sadly afraid 
my children would wake, and by their crying disturb the dying 
man in his last moments, who often addressed me and apologized 
'•for the trouble he gave me.^ About three o'clock in the morn- 
ing, I was told that he could not hold out much longer ; I had 
desired to be informed of the near approach of this sad crisis, and 
I then wrapped up my children in their clothes, and went with 
them into the room below. About eiffht o'clock in the morninor 
he died. 

" After lie was laid out, and his corpse wrapped up in a sheet, 
we came again into tbe room, and had this sorrowful sight before 
us the whole day ; and, to add to the melancholy scene, almost 
every moment some officer of my acquaintance was brought in 
wounded. The cannonade commenced again ; a retreat was 
spoken of, but not the smallest motion was made towards it. 
About four o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the house, which had 
just been built for me, in flames, and the enemy was now not 



BARONESS REIDESEL. 24. 

far off. We knew that General Burgoyne would not refuse the 
last request of General Frazer, though, by his acceding to it, an 
unnecessary delay was occasioned, by which the inconvenience of 
the army was much increased. At six o'clock the corpse was 
brought out, and we saw all the generals attend it to the moun 
tain. The chaplain, Mr. Brudenell, performed the funeral service 
rendered unusually solemn and awful from its being accompanied 
by constant peals from the enemy's artillery. Many cannon-balls 
flew close by me, but I had my eyes directed towards the moun- 
tain,^ where my husband was standing, amidst the fire of the 
enemy ; and, of course, I could not think of my own danger. 

" General Gates afterwards said, that, if he had known it had 
been a funeral, he would not have permitted it to be fired on. 

" As soon as the funeral service was finished, and the grave of 
General Frazer closed, an order was issued that the army should 
retreat. My calash was prepared, but I would not consent to go 
before the troops. Major Harnage, though suff"ering from his 
wounds, crept from his bed, as he did not wish to remain in the 
hospital, which was left with a flag of truce. When General 
Reidesel saw me in the m-idst of danger, he ordered ray women 
and children to be brought into the calash, and intimated to me 
to depart without delay. I still prayed to remain, but my hus- 
band, knowing my weak side, said, ' well then, your children 
must go, that at least they may be safe from danger.' I then 
agreed to enter the calash with them, and we set off at eight 
o'clock. 

" The retreat was ordered to be conducted with the greatest 



* The height occupied by Burgoyne on the 18th, which ran parallel with 
the river till it approached General Gate's camp. 



242 NARRATIVE OF THE 

silence, many fires were lighted, and several tents left standing ; 
we travelled continually during the night. At six o'clock in the 
morning we halted, which excited the surprise of all ; General 
Burgoyne had the cannon ranged and counted ; this delay seemed 
to disj)lease everybody, for if we could only have made another 
good march, we should have been in safety. My husband, quite 
exhausted with fatigue, came into my calash, and slept for three 
hours. During that time, Capt. Willoe brought me a bag full of 
bank notes, and Captain Grismar his elegant watch, a ring, and a 
purse full of money, which they requested me to take care of, and 
which I promised to do, to the utmost of my power. We again 
marched, but had scarcely proceeded an hour, before we halted, 
as the enemy was in sight ; it proved to be only a reconnoitering 
party of two hundred men, who might easily have been made 
prisoners, if General Burgoyne had given proper orders on the 
occasion. 

" The Indians had now lost their courage, and were departing 
for their homes ; these people appeared to droop much under 
adversity, and especially when they had no prospect of plunder. 
One of my waiting-women was in a state of despair, which ap- 
proached to madness ; she cursed and tore her hair, and when I 
attempted to reason with her, and to pacify her, she asked me if 
I was jiot grieved at our situation, and on my sa3dng I was, she 
tore her cap off her head and let her hair fall over her face, say- 
ing to me ' it is very easy for you to be composed and talk ; you 
have your husband with you ; I hav^e none, and what i-emains to 
me but the prospect of perishing or losing all I have V I again 
bade her take comfort, and assured her I would make good what- 
ever she might happen to lose ; and I made the same .promise 



BARONESS REIDESEL. 243 

to Ellen, my other waiting-woman, who, though filled with ap 
prehensions, made no complaints. 

" About evening we arrived at Saratoga ; my dress was wet 
through and through with rain, and in this state I had to remain 
the whole night, having no place to change it ; I however got 
close to a large fire, and at last lay down on some straw. At this 
moment General Phillips came up to me, and I asked him why 
he had not continued our retreat, as my husband had promised 
to cover it, and. bring the army through ? 'Poor, dear woman,' 
said he, ' I wonder how, drenched as you are, you have the courage 
still to persevere, and venture further in this kind of weather ; I 
wish,' continued he, ' you was our commanding general ; General 
Burgoyne is tired, and means to halt here to-night and give us 
our supper.' 

" On the morning of the Tth, at 10 o'clock, General Burgoyne 
ordered the retreat to be continued, and caused the handsome 
houses and mills of General Schuyler to be burnt ; we marched, 
how^ever, but a short distance, and then halted. The greatest mis- 
ery at this time prevailed in the army, and more than thirty ofli- 
cers came to me, for whom tea and coffee was prepared, and with 
whom I shared all my provisions, with which my calash was in 
general well supplied, for I liad a cook who was an excellent ca- 
terer, and who often in the night crossed small rivers, and foraged 
on the inhabitants, bringing in with him, sheep, small pigs, and 
poultry, for which he very often forgot to pay, though he received 
good pay from me so long as I had any, and was ultimately hand- 
somely rewarded. Our pro\'isions now failed us, for w^ant of 
proper conduct in the commissary's department, and I began to 
despair. 

" About two o'clock in the afternoon, \/e again heard a firing 



244 NARRATIVE OP THE 

of cannon and small arms ; instantly all was alarm, and every 
tiling in motion. My husband told me to go to a house not far 
otf. I immediately seated myself in my calash, with my children, 
and drove off; but scarcely had we reached it before I discovered 
five or six armed men on the other side of the Hudson. Instinct- 
ively I threw my children down in the calash, and then concealed 
myself with them. At this moment the fellows fired, and wounded 
an already wounded English soldier, who was behind me. Poor 
fellow ! I pitied him exceedingly, but at this moment had no 
means or power to relieve him. 

" A terrible cannonade was commenced by the enemy, against 
the house in which I sought to obtain shelter for myself and 
children, under the mistaken idea that all the generals were in it. 
Alas ! it contained none but wounded and women. We were at 
last obliged to resort to the cellar for refuge, and in one corner 
of this I remained the whole day, my childern sleeping on the 
earth with their heads in my lap ; and in the same situation I 
passed a sleepless night. Eleven cannon balls passed through the 
house, and we could distinctly hear them roll away. One poor 
soldier who was lying on a table, for the pui-pose of having, his 
leg amputated, was struck by a shot, which carried away his other ; 
his comrades had left him, and when we went to his assistance, 
we found him in the corner of a room, into which he had crept, 
more dead than alive, scarcely breathing. My reflections on the 
danger to which my husband was exposed now agonized me ex- 
ceedingly, and the thoughts of my children, and the necessity of 
struggling for their preservation, alone sustained me. 

" The ladies of the army who were with me, were Mrs. Ilarn 
age, a Mrs. Kennels, the widow of a lieutenant who was killed. 
and the lady of the commissary. Major Ilarnage, his wife, and 



RARONESS REIDESEL. 215 

Mrs. Kennels, made a little room in a corner with curtains to it, 
and wished to do the same for me, but I preferred being near the 
door, in case of fire. Not far ofi" my women slept, and opposite 
to us three English oflScers, who, though wounded, were deter- 
mined not to be left behind ; one of them was Captain Green, an 
aid-de-camp to Major General Phillips, a very valuable officer and 
most agreeable man. They each made me a most sacred promise 
not to leave me behind, and, in case of sudden retreat, that they 
w^ould each of them take one of my children on his horse ; and 
for myself, one of my husband's was in constant readiness. 

" Our cook, whom I have before mentioned, procured us our 
meals, but we were in want of water, and I was often obliged to 
drink wine, and to give it to my children. It was the only thing 
my husband took, which made our faithful hunter, Rockel, express 
one day his apprehensions, that, ' the general was weary of his life, 
or fearful of being taken, as he drank so much wine.' The con- 
stant danger which my husband w^as in, kept me in a state of 
wretchedness ; and I asked myself, if it was possible, I should be 
the only happy one, and have my husband spared to me unhurt, 
exposed as he was to so many perils. He never entered his tent, 
but lay do\vn whole nights by the w^atch fires ; this alone was 
enough to have killed him, the cold was so intense. 

" The want of water distressed us much ; at length we found a 
eoldier's wife, who had courage enough to fetch us some from the 
river, an office nobody else would undertake, as the Americans 
shot at every person who approached it ; but out of respect for her 
sex, they never molested her. 

"I now occupied myself through the day in attending the 
wounded ; I made them tea and coffee, and often shared ray din- 
ner with them for which they oflPered me a thousand expressions 
16 



246 NARRATIVE OF THE 

of gratitude. One day a Canadian oflScer came to our cellar, who 
had scarcely the power of holding himself upright, and we con- 
cluded he was dying for w^ant of nourishment ; I was happy in 
offering him my dinner, which strengthened him, and procured 
me his friendship. I now undertook the care of Major Bloom- 
field, another aid-de-camp of General Phillips ; he had received a 
musket ball through both cheeks, which in its course had knocked 
out several of his teeth, and cut his tongue ; he could hold nothing 
in his mouth, the matter which ran from his wound almost choked 
him, and he was not able to take any nourishment except a little 
soup, or something h'quid. We had some Rhenish wine, and in 
the hope that the acidity of it would cleanse his wound, I gave 
him a bottle of it. He took a little now and then, and with such 
effect, that his cure soon followed ; thus I added another to my 
stock of friends, and derived a satisfaction which in the midst of 
suffering, served to tranquilize me and diminish their acuteness. 

" One day, General Phillips accompanied my husband, at the 
risk of their lives, on a visit to us. The General, after having wit- 
nessed our situation, said to him, 'I would not for ten thousand 
guineas come again to this place, my heart is almost broken.' 

" In this horrid situation w^e remained six days ; a cessation of 
hostilities was now spoken of, and eventually took place. A con- 
vention was afterwards agreed on ; but one day a message was 
sent to my husband who had visited me, and was reposing 
in my bed, to attend, a council of war, where it was proposed 
to break the convention ; but, to my great joy, the majority were 
for adhering to it. On the 16th, however, my husband had to re- 
pair to his post, and I to my cellar. This day fresh beef was 
i^erved out to the officers, who till now had only had salt provis- 
ions, which was very bad for their wounds. The good woman 



BARONESS TIEIDESEL. 247 

who brouglit us water, made us an excellent soup of tlie meat, but 
J had lost, my appetite, and took nothing but crusts of bread 
dipped in wine. The wounded officers, my unfortunate compan- 
ions, cut off the best bit, and presented it to me on a plate. I de- 
clined eating anything, but they contended that it was necessary 
for me to take nourishment, and declared they would not touch 
a morsel till I afforded them the pleasure of seeing me partake. 
I could no longer withstand their pressing invitations, accompanied 
as they were by assurances of happiness they had in offering me 
the first good thing they had in their power, and I partook of a 
repast rendered palatable by the kindness and good will of my 
fellow-sufferers, forgetting for the moment the misery of our apart- 
ment, and the absence of almost every comfort. 

"On the l7th of October, the convention was completed. Gen- 
eral Burgoyne and the other generals waited on the American 
General Gates ; the troops laid down their arms, and gave them- 
selves up prisoners of war ! And now the good woman who had 
supplied us with water at the hazard of her Hfe, received the re- 
ward of her services ; each of us threw a handful of money into 
her apron and she got altogether about twenty guineas. x\t such 
a moment as this, how susceptible is the heart, of feelings of grati- 
tude ! 

" My husband sent a message to me, to come over to him with 
my children. I seated myself once more in my dear calash, and 
then rode through the American camp. As I passed on, I ob- 
served, and this was a great consolation to me, that no one eyed 
me with looks of resentment, but that they all greeted us, and 
even showed compassion in their countenances at the sight of a 
woman with small children. I was. I confess, afraid to go over 
10 the enemy, as it was quite a new situation to me. When T 



248 NARRATIVE OF THE 

drew near the tents, a handsome nian approached and met me, 
took my children from ihe calash^ and hugged and kissed them, 
which affected me almost to tears. ' You tremble,' said he, ad- 
dressing himself to me, ' be not afraid.' ' No,' I answered, 
' you seem so kind and tender to my children, it inspires me with 
courage.' He now led me to the tent of General Gates, where I. 
found Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, who were on a friendly 
footing \vith the former. Burgoyne said to me, ' Never mind ; 
your sorrows have now an end.' I answered him, ' that I should 
be reprehensible to have any cares, as he had none ; and I was 
pleased to see him on such friendly footing with General Gates.* 
All the Generals remained to dine with General Gates. 

" The same gentleman who received me so kindly, now came 
and said to me, " You will be very much embarrassed to eat with 
all these gentlemen ; come with your children to my tent, where 1 
loill prepare for you a frugal dinner, and give it loith a free will.'' 
I said ' You are, certainly a husband and a father, you have 
shown me so much kindness.^ I now found that he was 
General Schuyler. He treated me with excellent smoked 
tongue, beefsteaks, potatoes, and good bread and butter ! Never 
could I have wished to eat a better dinner ; I was content ; I saw 
all around me were so likewise ; and, what was better than all, my 
husband was out of danger. 

" When we had dined, he told me his residence was at Albany, 
and that General Burgoyne intended to honor him as his guest, 
and invited myself and children to do so likewise. I asked my- 
Qusband how I should act ; he told me to accept the invitation. 
As it was two days' journey there, he advised me to go to a place 
whi \ was about three hour's ride distant. General Schuyler had 
thi politeness to send with me a French officer, a very agreeable 



BARONESS REIDr:SEL. 219 

man, who commanded the reconnoitering party, of which T have 
before spoken ; and when he had escorted me to the house where 
I was to remain, he turned back again. 

" Some days after this we arrived at Albany, where we so often 
wished ourselves ; but we did not enter it as we expected we should 
— victors ! We were received by the good General Schuyler, his 
wife, and daughters, not as enemies, but kind friends ; and they 
treated us with the most marked attention and politeness, as they 
did General Burgoyne, who had caused General Schuyler's beau- 
tifully finished house to be burnt. In fact, they behaved like per- 
sons of exalted minds, who determined to bury all reccoUections 
of their own injuries in the contemplation of our misfortunes. 
General Burgoyne was struck with General Schuyler's generosity, 
and said to him, ' You show me great kindness, though I have 
done you much injury.' ' That was the fate of war ;' replied the 
brave man, ' let us say no more about it.' ' 



LYDIl DARRAH. 

The following aiecount of the signal service rendered to qui 
cause by a heroine quakeress, Lydia Darrah, first appeared in the 
American Quarterly Review : 

When the British army held possession of Philadelphia, Gene- 
ral Harris' head- quarters were in Second street, the fourth doo' 
below Spruce, in a house which was before occupied by General 
Cadwallader. Directly opposite, resided William and Lydia 
Darrah, members of the Society of Friends. A superior officer of 
the British army, believed to be the Adjutant General, fixed upon 



250 LYDIA DARRAK 

one of their chambers, a back room, foi- private conierence ; and 
two of them frequently met there, with fire and candles, in close 
consultation. About the second of December, the Adjutant Ge- 
neral told Lydia that they would be in the room at seven o'clock, 
and remain late ; and that they wished the family to retire early 
to bed ; adding, that when they were going away, they would 
call her to let them out, and extinguish their fire and candles 
She accordingly sent all the family to bed ; but, as the ofiicer had 
been so particular, her curiosity was excited. She took off" her 
shoes, and put her ear to the key-hole of the conclave. She over- 
heard an order read for all the British troops to march out, late 
in the evening of the fourth, and attack General Washington's 
army, then encamped at White Marsh. On hearing this, she re- 
turned to her chamber and laid herself down. Soon after, the 
officers knocked at her door, but she rose only at the third sum- 
mons, having feigned to be asleep. Her mind was so much agi 
tated that, from this moment, she could neither eat nor sleep ; 
supposing it to be in her power to save the lives of thousands of 
her countrymen ; but not knowing how she was to convey the 
necessary information to General Washington, nor daring to con- 
fide it even to her husband. The time left, was, however, short ; 
she quickly determined to make her way, as soon as possible, to 
the American outposts. She informed her family, that, as they 
were in want of flour, she would go to Frankfort for some ; her 
husband insisted that she should take with her the servant maid ; 
but, to his surprise, she positively refused. She got access to Ge- 
neral Howe, and solicited — what he readily granted, — a pass 
through the British troops on the lines. Leaving her bag at the 
mill, she hastened towards the American lines, and encountered 
on her way an American, Lieutenant Colonel Craig, of the light 



LYDIA DARRAH. 251 

horse, who, with some of his men, was on the look-out for infor 
mation. He knew her, and inquired whither she was going 
She answered, in quest of her son, an oflScer in the American 
army ; ar \ prayed the Colonel to alight and walk with her. He 
did so, ordering his troops to keep in sight. To him she disclosed 
her- momentous secret, after having obtained from him the most 
solemn promise never to betray her individually, since her life 
might be at stake, with the British. He conducted her to a house 
near at hand, directed a female in it to give her something to eat, 
and he speeded for head-quarters, where he brought General 
Washington acquainted with what he had heard. Washington 
made, of course, all preparation for baffling the meditated surprise. 
Lydid. returned home with her flour ; sat up alone to wafch the 
movement of the British troops ; heard their footsteps ; but when 
they returned, in a few days after, did not dare to ask a question, 
though solicitous to learn the event. The next evening, the Ad- 
jutant General came in, and requested her to walk up to his room, 
as he wished to put some questions. She followed him in terror ; 
and when he locked the door, and begged her, with an air of 
mystery to be seated, she was sure that she was either suspected, 
or had been betrayed. He inquired earnestly whether any of L«r 
family were up the last night he and the other officer met : — bne 
told him that they all retired at eight o'clock. He observed — ' I 
know you were asleep, for I knocked at your chamber door thieo 
times before you heard me ; I am entirely at a loss to imagine 
who gave Washington information of our intended attack, unless 
the walls of the house could speak. When we arrived near White 
Marsh, we found all their cannon mounted, and the -Vroop prepared 
to receive us ; and we have marched back like a parcel of fools." 



252 CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. 



CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. 

On the occasion of the invasion of New Haven, the Rev. Dr_ 
Daggett, at that time president of Yale College, armed himself 
with a musket, and went out with his fellow citizens to oppose 
the enemy. He was wounded and taken prisoner. Whilst in 
the hands of the British he was asked, whether if release (i, he 
would again take up arms against them ? — to which he ansx^tred, 
" I rather believe I shall, if I get an opportunity." We subjoin 
an account of his captivity, as given by himself. 

" An account of the cruelties and barbarities which I ret-eived 
from the British soldiers, after I had surrendered myself a prisoner 
into their hands. It is needless to relate all the leading circum- 
stances which threw me in their way. It may be sufficient just 
to observe, that on Monday morning, the 5th inst., (July 1*779,) 
the town of New Haven was justly alarmed, with very threaten- 
ing appearances of a speedy invasion from the enemy. Numbers 
went out armed to oppose them ; I among the rest, took the sta- 
tion assigned me, upon Milford Hill, but was soon directed to quit 
it, and retire further north, as the motions of the enemy required. 
Having gone as far as I supposed was sufficient, I turned down 
the hill to gain a little covert of bushes, which I had in my eye ; 
but to my great surprise, I saw the enemy much nearer than I 
expected, their advanced guards being little more than twenty 
rods distant, plain, open ground between us. They instantly fired 
upon me, which they continued until I had run a dozen rods, dis- 
charging not less than fifteen or twenty balls at me alone ; how- 
ever, through the preserving providence of God, I escaped them 
all unhurt, and gained the little covert at which I aimed, which 



CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. 253 

concealed me from their view, while I could plainly see them 
through the weeds and bushes, adva-ncing towards me within 
about twelve rods. I singled out one of them, took aim, and 
fired upon him ; I loaded my musket again, but determined not 
to discharge any more, and as I saw I could not escape from them, 
I determined to surrender myself a prisoner. I begged for quar- 
ter, and that they would spare my life. They drew near to me 
I think two only in number, one on my right hand, the other on 
my left, the fury of infernals glaring in their faces. They called me 
a damned old rebel, and swore they would kill me instantly. 
They demanded, what did you fire upon us for ? I replied, be- 
cause it is the exercise of war. Then one made a pass at me with 
his bayonet, as if he designed to thrust it through my body. 
With my hand I tossed it up from its direction, and sprang in so 
near to him that he could not hurt me with his bayonet. I still 
continued pleading and begging for my life, with the utmost im- 
portunity, using every argument in my power to mollify them, 
and induce them to desist from their murderous purposes. One 
of them gave me four gashes on my head with the edge of his 
bayonet, to the skull bone, which caused a plentiful effusion of 
blood. The other gave me three slight pricks with the point of 
his bayonet, on the trunk of my body, but they were no more than 
skin deep. But what is a thousand times worse than all that has 
been related, is the blows and bruises they gave me with the heavy 
barrels of their guns on my bowels, by which I was knocked down 
once, or more, and almost deprived of life ; by which bruises, I 
have been almost confined to my bed ever since. These scenesi 
might take up about two minutes of time. They seemed to desist 
a little from their design of murder, after which they stript me of 
my shoes and knee buckles, and also my stock buckle. Their 



254 CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. 

avarice further led them to rob me of my pocket-handkerchief, 
and a little old tobacco box. They then bade me march towards 
the main body, which was about twelve rods distant ; when some 
officers inquired of me who I was, I gave them my name, station, 
and character, and begged their protection, that I might not be 
any more abused or hurt by the soldiers. They promised m 
their protection. But I was robbed of my shoes, and was com 
mitted to one of the most unfeeling savages that ever breathed 
They then drove me with the main body, a hasty march of five 
miles or more. I was insulted in the most shocking manner, by 
the ruffian soldiers, many of which came at me with fixed bay- 
onets, and swore that they would kill me on the spot. They 
damned me, those that took me, because they spared my life. 
Thus, amidst a thousand insults, my infernal driver hastened me 
along faster than my strength would admit, in the extreme heat 
of the day, weakened as I was by my wounds, and the loss of 
blood, which at a moderate computation could not be less than 
one quart. And when I failed in some degree, through faintness, 
he would strike me on the back v/ith a heavy walking staff", and 
kick me behind with his foot. At length, by the supporting 
power of God, I arrived at the green, in New Haven. But my 
life was almost spent, the world around me several times appear- 
ing as dark as midnight. I obtained leave of an officer to be car- 
ried into the widow Lyman's, and laid upon a bed, where I lay 
the rest of the day and succeeding night, in such acute and excru 
elating pain as I never felt before." 



k 



THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 255 

THE MURDER OP MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 

The Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the First Presbyterian 
Church in Elizabethtown, N. J., acted as Chaplain of the Ameri- 
can army while in New Jersey, and by his zealous patriotism, and 
patriotic appeals, often contributed to arouse the spirits of the 
soldiers, and to inspire them with a greater energy in the per- 
formance of their trying duties. He was very popular in the 
community, and received the unlimited confidence of Washington. 

But his lofty patriotism, and unflinching zeal in the American 
cause, made him hated by the enemy, who sought every means 
to get him into their power, and a price was set upon his head. 
When preaching, he frequently was compelled to lay his loaded 
pistols by his side in the pulpit. At one time he resided in 
Springfield, but afterwards removed to " Connecticut Farms," 
about four miles from Elizabethtown. Here was enacted the first 
part of the tragedy we are about to relate. 

A company of British troop from New York, under command 
of the Hessian General, Knyphausen, landed in Elizabethtown in 
June of 1780, and marching directly into the interior, proceeded 
to wreak their cruelty upon every living thing that fell in their 
way. Houses were fired, cattle destroyed, helpless people mur- 
dered, or left without shelter, clothing, or food. Mr. Caldwell 
heard of their approach, and immediately prepared to escape. 
He put his elder children in a wagon, and sent them on to some 
of his friends for protection. He then desired his wife, with the 
younger children, to take means of flight, but she announced her 
determination of remaining, as none would have cause to offer 
injury to her. Finding she would not yield to his persuasion, and 



256 THE MURDER OF 

believing it impossible that their resentment could extend to an 
unprotected mother, with her babe clasped to her heart, Mr. Cald- 
well resolved to leave them, and seek his own safety alone. He 
was mounted, and receiving the last assurance of her resolve to 
stay, when the gleam of arms announced the approach of the 
enemy, and he rode rapidly off. 

Mrs. Caldwell ha\T[ng concealed what things were of value, took 
her infant in her arms, and retired to her chamber, the window 
of which commanded the road. Here, with her three little ones 
around, she awaited the approach of the enemy, feeling conscious 
that her unprotected state would secure respect and safety. One 
little girl was standing by the window watching the approach of 
the troops, when one of the soldiers left the road, and came to the 
window, which he had no sooner reached, than he placed the 
muzzle of his gun against it, and deliberately fired, when Mrs. 
Caldwell fell suddenly back, and almost instantly expired. 

Not content with depriving her of life, the inhuman monsters 
wreaked their cruelty on her senseless body. Her clothes w^re 
nearly torn off, and her body removed to the road side, where it 
was subjected to every indignity, while the torch was applied to 
the dwelling, and then the work of destruction was done. 

The effect of this terrible blow upon the husband can only be 
imagined. He was that morning standing upon the heights of 
Springfield, and by the aid of a spy-glass could see the smoke 
from the burning houses. " Thank God," he exclaimed, " the fire 
s not in the direction of my house." He was too soon to learn 
the sad mistake. 

The royalists attempted to throw off the responsibility of this 
act, by asserting that Mrs. Caldwell was killed by a chance shot. 
But all the evidence goes to show that it was deliberately planned, 



MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 



2.5: 



and that the soldier by whose hand the bloody deed was com- 
mitted, only acted in accordance with his orders. The fact that 
her body was allowed to be so rudely treated, while many of the 
officers felt their abhorrence for the deed, proves that althoagh 
they felt respect for her remains, they knew the will of their su- 
periors, and therefore dared not show it. 

The following anecdote, connected with this invasion, shows 
pretty clearly who were the murderers of Mrs. Caldwell. The 
flames from the burning dwelling could be seen from " Liberty 
Hall," the residence of Gov. Livingston, who was at that time 
absent from home. Parties of soldiers were continually passing 
the house, but for some reason it was spared. But about mid- 
night a party of soldiers, partially intoxicated, rushed into the 
house. The maid-servant— all the males in the establishment 
having taken refuge in the woods early in the day, to avoid being 
made prisoners— fastened herself in the kitchen ; and the ladies, 
(Mrs. Li\-lngston and her daughters) crowded together like fright- 
ened deer, locked themselves in another apartment. Their place 
of retreat was sonn discovered by the ruffians ; and afraid to 
exasperate them by refusing to come out, one of Governor Liv- 
ingston's daughters opened the door. A drunken soldier seized 
her by the arm ; she grasped the villain's collar, and, at the very 
moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the hall, and falling 
upon her white dress— he staggered back, exclaiming, with an 
oath, ' It's Mrs. Caldwell, that we killed to-day.' One of the 
party was at length recognized, and by his intervention, the 
house was finally cleared of the assailants."* 

But the vengeance of Mr. Caldwell's enemies was not yet sa- 



* Life of Livinfifston. 



258 THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 

tiated ; the tragedy so far was incomplete. It was on the 24th 
of November, 1781, that he himself fell beneath the ruthless 
murderer's hand, and the blow this time came from a source where 
he thought himself secure. On the day above mentioned, he 
went to Elizabethtown Point, for a Miss Murray, who had come 
from New York, under a flag of truce. After conducting her to 
his gig, he returned to the boat, to obtain a bundle which had 
been left behind. As he came on shore, the American sentinel 
challenged him, and demanded what " contraband goods " he 
had there. Mr. Caldwell stepped forward to tender the bundle 
to the proper officer, not wishing to enter into a dispute about it 
then, when the report of a musket was heard, and he fell dead, 
pierced by two balls. He had been shot by a man named Mor- 
gan, who had just been relieved from duty as a sentinel. He 
was arrested, tried, condemned, and was executed. There can be 
no doubt but that he was bribed to the deed by British gold, as 
there was no shadow of a cause to suppose that enmity existed 
between Mr. Caldwell and him. 

Viewed from any point, these two murders were among the 
most atrocious acts perpetrated by the invaders of our country, 
and in a history full of atrocities, they will always rank as bloody, 
fiandish and treacherous. 



CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM. 



259 



CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM. 

" At the beginning of the war of the revolution, Captain Cun- 
ningham enhsted in one of the minute companies, and continued in 
that service until Virginia armed a few fast sailing pilot boat 
schooners. Thus was the navy of that state commenced. It, how 
ever, varied materially ; sometimes amounting to as many as fifty 
vessels, and occassionally to only one. Among them was the 
schooner Liberty, which was never captured, although several 
times sunk in the rivers to conceal her from the enemy. Captain 
Cunningham embarked and remained in the Liberty, as her first 
Heutenant, until the war assumed a more regular form. Captain 
Cunningham purchased a small schooner, and engaged in traffic to 
the West Indies. Sea officers were encouraged to engage in com- 
merce as the only means of procuring the munitions of war. 

" On these occasions he encountered great risk from the enemy's 
fleets. Once, in the month of June, he suddenly came upon an 
English frigate, off Cape Henry, in a dense fog. The English com- 
mander ordered him to strike his colors, and haul down his light 
sails, or he would sink him. By a judicious and skilful stratagem, 
he made the enemy believe he intended to surrender. He, there- 
fore suspended his threatened firing. At the moment they dis- 
covered that Cunningham intended to escape, the jib-boom of the 
frigate caught in the topping-lift of the schooner's main-boom. 
Captain Cunningham sprang up to the stern, with a knife, to free 
his vessel. While in the act of cutting the rope, a British marine 
shot him through the arm. Nothing daunted, he deliberately ef 
fected his object, and amid a shower of grape, his vessel shot away 
from the fricrate. and in a few moments was out of si<)^ht. 



260 CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM. 

" Some time after, Captain Cunningham joined the army, on 
the south side of James river, and had the misfortune, while on a 
foraging expedition, to be taken by the enemy, and carried inio 
Portsmouth. He had then been recently married. 

" One day he said to an uncle of his, (also a prisoner) that he 
would see his wife the next evening, or perish in the attempt. 
' My dear Will, are you mad V was the reply. 

" The prison in which he was confined, was a large sugar-house, 
at the extreme end of the town, enclosed by a strong stockade 
fence. At sunset every evening, the guard, composed of forty or 
fifty men, were relieved by fresh troops, and on their arrival, the 
two guards, with their officers, were paraded in front of the prison, 
on each side of the pathway to the gate. At this hour, the cere 
mony observed on the occasion was in progress ; the relieved 
guard had stacked their arms, and were looking at their baggage ; 
the fresh guard were relieving sentinels, and, in a degree, at their 
ease. This was the time selected by Captain Cunningham. The 
sentinel had just begun to pace his ground, and awful, indeed, was 
the moment. Captain Cunningham was justly a great favorite 
with the prisoners, who all, in silent terror, expected to see their 
beloved companion pinned to the eai-th by many bayonets, for ex- 
postulation had been exhausted. ' My wife, or death /' was his 
watchword. 

" The sentinel's motions had been sagaciously calculated upon, 
and as he turned from the prison. Captain Cunningham darted 
out, and butted him over at his full length, and ran past him 
through the gate. It was now nearly dark. All was uproar and 
confusion. Cunningham soon reached a marsh near the house, 
and was nowhere to be found. Volley after volley was fired after 
nim, and ?ome of the balls whistled over his head. Ere Ion or, he 



ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER. 261 

arrived at the southern branch of EHzabeth River, which he swain 
over a little below the navy yard at Gosport, and finally reached 
the place whither his wife had fled. 

Lieut. Church, who had served as Captain Cunningham's first 
lieutenant, was determined that his master should not alone en- 
counter the danger of an escape. He, therefore, followed him ; 
and strange as it may appear, he was never heard of, or accounted 
for." 



ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER. 

" Peter Francisco, of Virginia, ear^y enlisted in the continen 
tal service, and was a man of wonderful personal prowess. He 
was over six feet in height, and his weight was two hundred and 
sixty pounds. He usually carried a sword, having a blade five 
feet in length and of great weight, and this he wielded with so 
much skill and force, that every swordsman who came in contact 
with him paid the forfeit of his life. Such was his personal 
strength, that he could easily shoulder a cannon weighing 1100 
pounds. This wonderful strength induced in him so much confi- 
dence, that he was utterly fearless, and never was daunted at any 
danger, no matter how formidable. The following anecdote is 
related of hira : — 

" V^Hiile the British army was spreading havoc and desolation 

all around them, by their plunderings and burnings in Virginia, 

in 1781, Francisco had been reconnoitering, and while stopping at 

a house of Mr. Wand, nine of Tarleton's cavalry came up, with 

three nei^roes, and told him he was their prisoner. Seeing he 
17 



2(32 ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER. 

was overpowered by numbers, he made no resistance. Believing 
bim to be very peacable, they all went into the house, leaving him 
and the paymaster together. 

" 'Give up instantly all that you possess of value,' said the latter, 
* or prepare to die.' 

" ' I have nothing to give up,' said Francisco, ' so use your plea 
sure.' ' Deliver instantly,' rejoined the solder, ' those massy silver 
buckles which you wear in your shoes.' 

" ' They were a present from a valued friend,' replied Francisco, 
' and it would grieve me to part with them. Give them into your 
hands I never will. You have the power ; take them, if you think 
fit.' The soldier put his sabre under his arm, and bent down to 
take them. Francisco, finding so favorable an opportunity to re- 
cover his liberty, stepped one pace in his rear, drew the sword 
from under the arm of his enemy, and instantly gave him a blow 
across the scull. 

" ' My enemy,' observed Francisco, ' was brave, and though se- 
pereiy wounded, drew a pistol, and in the same moment that he 
pulled the trigger, I cut his hand nearly off". The bullet grazed 
my side. Ben Wand, (the man of the house) very ungenerously 
brought out a musket, and gave it to one of the British soldiers, 
and told him to make use of that. He mounted the only horse 
he could get, and presented it at my breast. It missed fire. 
I rushed on the muzzle of the guH. A desperate struggle en- 
sued. I disarmed and wounded him. Tarleton's troop of four 
hundred men were in sight. All was hurry and confusion, which 
I increased by repeatedly hallooing, as loud as I could, ' come on, 
w.y brave hoys ; now'^s your time ; we will soon despatch these 
few, and then attack the main body P The wounded man flew to 
the troop ; the others were panic-struck and fled. I seized Wand, 



ADVENTURES OF GENERAL PUTNAM. 263 

and would have despatched him, but the poor wretch begged for 
liis Hfe, he was not only an object of my contempt, but pity. 
The eight horses that were left behind, I gave him to conceal for 
me. Discovering Tarleton had despatched ten more in pursuit of 
me, I made off. I eluded their vigilance. They stopped to re- 
fresh themselves, I, like an old fox, doubled and fell on their 

rear." 

He succeeded in escaping from his pursuers. He was engaged 
in numerous encounters with the enemy, in all of which he dis- 
played the same fearlessness and great strength. 



ADVENTURES OF GENERAL PUTNAM. 

At one time, when General Putnam had command of the army 
m New York, he was \asiting his out posts at West Greenwich, 
when Gov. Tryon, with a corps of fifteen hundred men, was on a 
march against it. Putnam had wiU him only one hundred and 
fifty men, with two pieces of artillery ; with them he took his sta- 
tion on the brow of a steep decli\dty, near the meeting house. 
The road turned to the north, just before it reached the edge of 
the steep; feer proceeding in this direction for a considerable 
distance, it inclined to the south, rendering the descent gradually 
and tolerably safe. As the British advanced, they were received 
with a sharp fire from the artillery ; but perceiving the dragoons 
about to charge, Putnam ordered his men to retire to a swamp, 
naccessible to cavalry while he himself dashed directly down the 
precipice, in a spot where one hundred stone steps had been cat 
out in the solid rock, for the accommodation of foot passengers. 



2(34 ADVENTURES OF 

His pursuers wlio were close upon liim, paused with astoiii^limeut 
as they reac^hed the edge, and saw him accomplish his perilous 
descent, and not one of them daring to follow, they discharged 
their pistols after him, one bullet of which passed through his hat, 
This wonderful feat has done more for the name of Putnam, than 
almost any other one act. The declivity, from this circumstance 
has since borne the name of " Putnam's Hill." 

Somewhere, near the time the above exploit took place, the fol 
lowing adventure was performed by General Putnam : The strong- 
hold of Horse Neck, was in the possession of the British, and 
Putnam with a few followers, were lurking in its vicinity, bent on 
driving them from the place. Tired of lying in ambush, the men 
became impatient, and importuned the general with questions, as 
to when they were going to have a 'bout with the foe. One 
morning he made a speech, something to the following effect, 
which convinced them that something was in the wind : — 

" Fellows ! you've been idle too long, and so have I. I'm going 
to Bush's at Horse Neck, in an hour, with an ox-team, and a load 
of corn. If I come back, I will let you know the particulars ; if 
I should not, let them have it !" 

" Within an hour he was mounted in his ox-cart, dressed as one 
of the commonest Yankee farmers, and was soon at the Bush's 
tavern, which was in possession of the British troops. No sooner 
did the officers espy him, than they began to question him as to 
his whereabouts, and finding him a complete simpleton, (as they 
thought) they began to quiz him, and threatened to seize his corn 
and fodder. 

'' How much do you ask for your whole concern ?" asked they. 

'• In marcy sake, gentlemen," replied the mock clod-hopper, 
with the most deplorable look of entreaty, " only let me off", and 



GENERAL PUTNAM. 265 

you shall have my hall team and load for nothing; and if that 
wont dew, I'll give you my word, I'll return to morrow, and pay 
you heartily for your kindness and condescension." 

" Well," said they, " we'll take you at your word, leave the team 
and provender with us, and we wont require any bail for your ap- 
pearance. ' 

Putnam gave up the team, and sauntered about an hour or so 
gaining all the information that he wished ; he then returned to 
his men, and told them of the foe, and his plan of attack. 

The morning came, and with it sallied out the gallant band. 
The British were handled with rough hands, and when they sur- 
rendered to General Putnam, the clod-hopper sarcastically re- 
marked, " Gentlemen, I have only kept my word. I told you I 
would call, and pay you for your kindness and condescension." 



INCIDENTS AT THE BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 

In the midst of ihe battle, while it raged hottest, and when the 
combatants were engaged hand to hand, in a conflict more fero^ 
cious and bloody, perhaps, than any other of the revolutionary 
struggle, a welcome sound burst upon the provincials, which was 
greeted by hearty cheers of welcome from them, while it dismayed 
the enemy. The sound that broke upon those engaged in theii 
bloody work, was that of firing in the direction of Fort Stanwix 
which was hailed as a reinforcement of American troops. But 
this circumstance had well nigh proved fatal. Col. Butler of the 
English troops, availing himself of a suggestion, despatched a 
company of his troop in the disguise of American soldiers, with 



266 INCIDENTS AT THE 

directions to approach the battle-field, from the direction of the 
fort, in such a manner so as to deceive the Americans into the be- 
lief that they were the earnestly wished for reinforcement. But 
as they approached, the quick eye of Captain Gardinier, detected 
the cheat, and to the exclamations of those around him, that they 
were friends, he replied, " Not so ; they are enemies ! don't you 
see their green coats." The disguised troops continued to advance 
until they were hailed by Gardinier, " at which moment one of 
his own soldiers, observing an acquaintance, and supposing him 
a friend, ran to meet him, and presented his hand. It was grasped 
but with no friendly grip, as the credulous fellow was dragged 
into the opposing line, and told that he was a prisoner, He did 
not yield without a struggle ; during which Gardinier, watching 
the action and the result, sprang forward, and with a blow from 
his spear, levelled the captor to the dust, and liberated his man. 
Others of the foe instantly set upon him, of whom he slew tho 
second, and wounded a third. Three of the disguised enemy no\^ 
sprang upon him, and one of his spurs becoming entangled in 
their clothes, he was thrown to the ground. Still contending, 
however, with almost super-human strength, both of his thigha 
were transfixed to the earth by th^. bayonets of two of his as 
sailants, while the third presented a bayonet to his breast, as if 
to thrust him through. Seizing this bayonet with his left hand, 
by a sudden wrench he brought its owner down upon himself, 
where he held him as a shield against the arms of the others, 
until one of his own men, observing the struggle, flew to his 
rescue. As the assailants turned upon their new adversary, Gar- 
dinier rose upon his seat ; and although his hand was severely 
lacerated by grasping the bayonet which had been drawn through 
it, he seized his spear, lying by his side, and quick as lightning 



"/Mr \ 




BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 267 

planted it to the barb in the side of the assailant, with whom he 
had been clenched. The naan fell and expired. While engaged 
in the struo^orle, some of his own men called out to Gardinier — 
' for God's sake, Captain, you are killing your own men !' He 
replied — ' they are not our men — they are the enemy — fire away !' 
A deadly fire from the provincials answered, and then the par- 
ties once more rushed with bayonet and spear, grappling and 
fighting with terrible fury ; while the shattering of shafts and 
the clashing of steel, mingled with every dread sound of war 
and death, and the savage yells, more hideous than all, presented 
a scene which can be more easily imagined than described. The 
unparalleled fortitude and bravery of Captain Gardinier, inspired 
fresh spirit into his men, some of whom enacted wonders of 
valor likevrise. 

" It happened during the melee, in which the contending par- 
ties were mingled in great confusion, that three of Johnson'a 
Greens' rushed within the circle of the provincials, and attempted 
to make prisoner of a Captain Dilenback. This officer had de- 
clared he would never be taken alive, and he was not. One 
of his three assailants seized his gun, but he suddenly wrenched 
it from him, and felled him with the butt. He shot the second 
dead, and thrust the third through with his bayonet. But in 
the moment of his triumph, at an exploit of which the mighty 
Hector, or either of the sons of Zerniah might have been proud, 
a ball laid this brave man low in the dust." 

General Herkimer, who commanded the American forces, in the 
early part of the contest, had been struck by a ball, which shat- 
tered his leg, at the same moment killing his horse. Undaunted 
by this accident, and indifferent to the severity of the pain, the 
brave old general continued in the battle, seated on his saddle 



268 ADVENTURE OF COL. COCHRAN. 

which was placed on a little hillock by a tree, against which he 
leaned for support, and gave his orders with undisturbed coolness, 
while his men fell in scores around him, and the exposure of his 
situation made hhn a mark for the enemy. Amid the clashing of 
weapons, the report of artillery, and the yells of the combatants, 
all mingled in one wild, fearful outburst, as if man had been 
turned into a fiend, and a love of blood had assumed the mastery 
of every other passion. General Herkimer, deliberately took his 
pipe from his pocket, lit it, and cooly continued to smoke, amid 
all the horrors that surrounded him. It is said, that old Blucher, 
in the battle of Leipsic, in a similar manner, sitting upon a hillock, 
smoked and gave his orders ; but Blucher was not wounded. 
General Herkimer's leg was amputated, but it was done so imskill- 
fully, that the flow of blood could not be stopped, and the conse- 
quence was fatal. During the operation, he smoked, and chatted 
in excellent spirits ; and when his departure grew nigh, he called 
for a bible, and read aloud until his fading strength compelled 
him to desist. 



ADVENTURE OF COL. COCHRAN. 

" Colonel Cochran having been sent to Canada as a spy, his 
mission was suspected, and a large bounty offered for his head. 
While there he was taken sick, and hearing that he was suspect 
ed, concealed himself for a few days in a brush heap, unable to 
make his escape, or even walk. Having suffered much from his 
sickness and want of nourishment, and having discoveied a log 
cabin at a considerable distance from the spot wheie ht was con- 



ADVENTURE OP COL. COCHRAN. 2G9 

cealed, the only one in sight, he crept to it on his hands and 
knees, for the purpose of sohciting assistance. On his approach 
to the rear of the cabin, he heard three men in earnest conversa- 
tion, and it happened that he was the subject of their discourse. 
Having heard of the heavy bounty offered for the Colonel, and 
having seen a man in the vicinity a few days before, answering 
the description of him, they were forming their plans, and ex 
pressing their determination to find his whereabouts, and take 
him for the sake of the bounty. One of the men was the owner 
of the cabin. His wife was also present ; and the others were 
his brother and brother-in-law. Soon after this conversation, the 
three men started in pursuit. He crept into the cabin, and 
frankly told the woman, who seemed favorably impressed towards 
him on account of his almost helpless condition, that he had 
overheard the conversation ; that he was the man of whom they 
were in search ; and that he should throw himself entirely upon 
her mercy, trusting to her fidelity for protection. This she very 
kindly promised him, to the utmost of her ability. Having re- 
ceived some restoratives, which seemed to give relief, and taken 
suitable nourishment, he lay down on a bed in the room, for the 
purpose of taking some repose. After the men had been absent 
about three hours, they returned ; when she concealed him in a 
closet by the side of the fire-place, taking good care, while the 
men were in the house, to keep near it, that if anything should 
be wanted from within, she might be ready to get it herself. 
During the time the men were in the house, they expressed much 
confidence in the belief that the Colonel was concealed somewhere 
in the vicinity, and named many places in which they inl,ende(\ 
to look for him. Having taken some food, and otherwise pre- 
pared themselves, the men departed to renew their search. 



270 ANECDOTES OF SERGEANT MC DONALLr. 

" Soon after they retired, the woman, not considering the Colo- 
nel's present situation safe, proposed that he should conceal 
himself at some distance from the cabin, where she might secretly 
bring him food, and render such other assistance as he needed. 
She accordingly directed him to take post on a certain hill, about 
half a mile distant, where he might be able to discover any per- 
son's approach, and to flee, if he was able, should it become 
necessary. He manifested an inclination to resume his former 
position in the brush heap, which was in the midst of a patch of 
ground that had been cut over for a fallow ; but she told him her 
husband intended to burn it the next day, and in that case he 
would be certainly discovered, or perish in the conflagration. He 
then submitted entirely to her directions, and crept along to the 
hill in the best way he could. He remained some time in this 
place of concealment, undiscovered by any one except this faithful 
Rahab of the forest, who, like the good Samaritan, poured in the 
oil and wine, until his strength was in a measure restored, and he 
was enabled to return to his country and his home. 

" Some years after the close of the war, and while the Colonel 
lived at Ticonderoga, he accidentally met with this kind-hearted 
woman, and rewarded her handsomely for her fidelity." 



ANECDOTES OF SERGEANT McDONALD. 

Sergeant McDonald was another of those daring spirits whose 
exploits have been so intimately connected with the name of 
Marion. He was distinguished for his wonderful coolness and 
daring, for a keen sagacity, and for great strength and agility. 



I 



ANECDOTES OF SERGEANT MC DONALD. 271 

lu one of Marion's numerous encounters with the enemy, when 
commanded by Major Gainey, he was victorious, and his enemies 
put to flight. " Great expectations," says Simms, " were formed 
of Gainey's ability to cope with Marion. On this occasion, though 
he made his escape, his mode of doing so was characterized by a 
pecuHar circumstance, which rendered it particularly amusing to 
one side, and annoying to the other. He was singled out in the 
chase by McDonald, who was admu-ably mounted. Gainey was 
fortunate in being well mounted, also. McDonald, regarding but 
the one enemy, passed all others. He himself said that he could 
have slain several in the chase. But he wished for no meaner 
object than their leader. One man alone, who threw himself in 
the way of pursuit, became its victim. Him he shot down, and, 
as they went at full speed down the Black river road, at the 
corner of Richmond fence, the sergeant had gained so far upon 
his enemy, as to be able to plunge his bayonet into his back. The 
steel separated from his gun, and, with no time to extricate it, 
Gainey rushed into Georgetown, with the weapon still conspicu- 
ously showing how close and eager had been the chase, ana 
how nan-ow the escape. The wound was not fatal." 

In Col. Watson's expedition against Marion, while pressing 
hard upon the partisan chief, among the captures of the British 
commander, was the entire wardrobe of McDonald. The ser- 
geant felt that it was a point of honor that he should recover his 
dothes. He despatched a messenger, with a flag, co Watson, 
demanding his property, and at the same time gravely assuring 
him that if his clothes were not returned, he would kill eight of 
his men. Watson, irritated by a late defeat, was furious at the 
absurd and audacious message. He contemptuously ordered the 
messenger to return ; but some of his ofiicers, aware of the 



212 A ROMANTIC INCIDENT. 

character of McDc nakl, urged that the clothes might be returned 
to the partisan, as he would be sure to keep his word if they 
were not. Watson yielded, and when the messenger returned tc- 
McDonald, he said, " You may now tell Col. Watson that T wi/ 
kill hut four of his men." 



A ROMANTIC INCIDENT. 

In the British station at Georgetown, South Carolina, was an 
English adjutant, by the name of Crookshanks — not a poetical 
name certainly, but, as the reader will see, his name did not pre- 
vent him from being placed in a veiy romantic situation, and 
which only ought to have happened a few centuries ago, to have 
secured for all the parties concerned, a lasting fame in poetry, and 
made them the envied of all romance worshippers. 

There lived in Georgetown, a fair daughter of a rebel publican, 
whose bright eye proved a strong attraction to the English offi- 
cers, who crowded her father's inn, and rivalled each other in 
their efforts to win the smiles of the rebel maid. But to one alone 
did she incline, and it soon became noted how the happy adjutant 
frequented the presence of his mistress, and with what delight he 
sought out her society. Love sprang up between them, and after 
a time they became solemnly affianced. But their future was 
unpromising ; the war gave no promise of a rapid end, and their 
opposition in principles, which the piejudices of their educatiftn 
could not remove, threatened them continnully v\nth a painful se- 
paration. In the peaceful enjoyment, howevei-, of the present, 
they drowned all dread of evil in the future. 



HEROISM OF A YOUNG GIRL. 273 

One night the adjutant, and several of his comrades, slept under 
the rebel inn keeper's roof. It chanced to be the very occasion 
when Georgetown was surprised by the whigs. At early morn, 
the young lady was suddenly awakened by the reports of muskets, 
the clashing of swords, and the shouts of combatants, among 
which she recognized her lover's voice. In the greatest alarm, 
she sprang from her bed, and rushed, half dressed, out upon the 
piazza, where, to her terror, she saw her lover surrounded by a 
body of her countrymen, whose swords already hung suspended 
above his head, and threatening him with instant destruction. 
With a quick cry she sprang forward, rushed before the swords 
of his assailants, and threw herself upon his neck, exclaiming, " O 
save ! save Major Crookshanks !" The sudden appearance of 
such a protector, coupled with admiration for her heroism, com- 
pletely disarmed his opponents. He was taken prisoner, but re- 
leased on his parole, and suifered to remain with his betrothed. 
The possession of so brave and true-hearted a woman, and the 
remembrance of this signal deliverance, no doubt, contributed in 
after years to the worthy adjutant's happiness. 



HEROISM OF A YOUNG GIRL. 

Mr. Robert Gibbes, a gentleman earnestly devoted to the pa- 
triotic cause, was the owner of a plantation on the Stono, a few 
miles from Charleston, on which, on a certain occasion, a Hessian 
battalion encamped, compelling the family to surrender to their 
use the lower part of the mansion, and to confine themselves in 
the upper story. While here on one dark and stormy evening, 



274 HEROISM OF A YOUNG GIRL. 

two gallies appeared, ascending the river, which forthwith began 
a most destructive fire upon the Hessian encampment. The house 
appeared particularly exposed, although the vessels had been com- 
manded to avoid firing upon it, and to confine their attack to the 
enemy's encampment. Of this Mr. Gibbes was not aware, and 
with the permission of the English commander, he set out, al- 
though suffering acutely from an infirmity, and with his nume- 
rous family, hastened to the protection of a neighboring planta 
tion. The balls were falling thick and fast, sometimes scattering 
dirt and sand over the party, while their loud whizzing, mingled 
with the fury of the distant affray, rendered the scene one of dan- 
ger and terror. But scarcely had they proceeded so far as to be 
out of danger from the balls, when to their unutterable agony 
they discovered, that in the confusion and hurry of departure, an 
infant had been left behind. To leave the child alone in his dan- 
ger was impossible, and to return for him was an attempt of im- 
minent peril. Mr. Gibbes was suffering under an infirmity that 
made his movements exceedingly slow and painful, and there- 
fore it was impracticable for him to return. The frightened and 
chattering servants, stood trembling around, looking from one to 
the other in bewildering despair. Of all the rest of the party, 
saving Mrs. Gibbes, who was severely indisposed, none were above 
the age of childhood. While thus undecided. Miss Mary Ann 
Gibbes, but thirteen years of age, sprang forward and heroically 
offered to go for the lad, who was a son of Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs 
Gibbes' sister-in-law. The night was dark and stormy, Ithe dis- 
tance considerable, and the whole space swept by che cannon of 
the assailant. But without fear she retraced the \tay, and reach- 
ed the house vv^ithout injury, where the scene was one of unmin- 
gled terror. Undismayed by the thundering of the cannon, the 



A SPY IN BURGOYNR^S CAMP. 275 

crashing of the balls, the shrieks, shouts and imprecations of the 
combatants, she sprang to the door with the intention of entering 
when she was brutally refused by the sentinel. But tears, en- 
treaties, and the natural eloquence prompted by her heroism, and 
the high purpose on which she was bent, overcome his opposi- 
tion, and she was permitted to enter. With rapid steps she as 
cended to the third story, and finding the child there in safety 
she clasped it to her bosom, and hastened to overtake her retreat- 
ing family, her course, as before, full of danger, and often the- 
ploughing balls would scatter clouds of dust over her person. 
Uninjured, her perilous journey was performed, and when she 
reached her friends, she was welcomed by shouts of enthusiasm 
and admiration. This intrepid action, worthy of an adult, and all 
glorious in a child, borrows a fair share of romance by the reflec- 
tion that the child thus saved, afterwards became Lieutenant Co- 
lonel Fenwick, so highly distinguished by his services in the last 
war with Great Britain. 



A SPY IN BURGOYNE'S CAMP. 

Christopher Fisher, was selected by General Gates, to go into 
Burgoyne's army as a spy, whose mission was to circulate letters 
among the Hessian soldiers, to induce them to desert, and to bring 
on an engagement in such a manner as Gates desired. Fisher r 
mode of proceeding was related by himself, to an American offi- 
cer, by whora it was communicated to the author of the " History 
of Schoharie County." Fisher stated, that on the day appointed, 
he approached the enemy's picket, with a sheep upon his back 



276 \ SPY IN BURGOYNES CAMP. 

which had been killed for the occasion. Upon being hailed bj 
the guard, and demanded his business, Fisher replied, " that the 
Yankees had destroyed all his property but one sheep, which he 
had killed, and was then taking to his freinds." Upon this re- 
port, he was delivered over by the sentinel into the keeping of 
an officer. When asked what proof he could give, that he was 
not deceiving, Fisher replied that, " the rebel's are preparing to 
give you battle, and if you will go with me, I will convince you 
of it's truth." The officer accompanied Fisher to a certain place 
in view, of which was a wood. Here had been stationed, agree- 
able to the order of Gates, a company of Morgan's riflemen, who 
were to exhibit themselves in a stealthy manner. The riflemen 
wore frocks, and were easily distinguished. "There — there," 
says Fisher, " don't you see them devils of Morgan's dodging 
about among the trees ?" The movements of the American rifle- 
men, were indeed visible enough to the English olQBcer. When 
urged to enlist in the British service, Fisher pleaded an aversion 
to a war, and declared it necessary to return home to protect his 
family against the rebels. He was allowed to depart for the army 
on his pleasure, and soon embraced an opportunity. A company 
of British troops was sent to dislodge the riflemen, which brought 
on a general engagement, and thus the spy succeeded to the 
wishes of Gates. Another object of Fisher's mission was also ef- 
fected. The letters circulated among the Hessians, had a good 
effect, and many of them deserted from the British army, either 
entering the American service, or settling down as good citizens. 



CAPTURi: OF A TORY. 277 



CAPTURE OF A TORY. 

George Cuck, a notorious tory, who was engaged with the 
enemy at Oriskany, and in their attack upon Cherry Valley, en- 
tered the valley of the Mohawk, in the spring ot' 1779, to secure 
the scalps of Captain James Gardinier, and Lieut. Quackenboss, 
two efficient whigs, for which the enemy had offered a large 
bounty. He was concealed in the house of one Van Zuyler, a 
tory friend, who lived in the town of Glen. This Van Zuyler had 
three daughters, of whom certain whigs became enamoured. One 
of these, James Cromwell, on one occasion, went over to pay his 
devotion to the charms of his Dulcinea, and accompanied her to 
the sugar bush, to assist her in the annual labor of boiling the 
sap of the maple for sugar. While here a mutual interchange of 
confidence took place, and among other things, the young lady 
confided to her lover, the secret, that the tory Cuck, was concealed 
in her father's house, and was always secreted under the floor 
when there were any visitors. Cromwell received this informa 
tion with astonishment, and in a very little while made an excuse> 
for departing. He hurried to Captain Gardinier and communi- 
cated this intelligence. That very night a dozen of whigs wert 
assembled, and the charge of capturing the tory entrusted to 
Lieut. Quackenboss. As Cuck was a desperado, and a terror to 
the whole neighborhood, Quackenboss was instructed to capture 
or kill him at all hazards. 

The party set forward with alacrity. When they were within 
a quarter of a mile of the house, they halted, and Quackenboss 
in a brief and spirited speech, informed them of the object of 
the expedition, and he concluded by stating, that as Cuck was a 



278 CAPTURE OF A TORY. 

bold and desperate fellow, and doubtless well armed, some of 
them would probably fall beneath his hand. He, therefore, only, 
wanted volunteers to accompany him, and all who did not -wish 
to engage in so desperate and enterprise were at liberty to re- 
turn. The whole party without exception, declared their readi 
ness to accompany their leader. The plan for proceeding was 
now determined on. It was agreed the party should separate 
and approach the house in different directions, so as not to excite 
suspicion. Quackenboss and three others approached the house 
from the front, and as they did so, they were greeted with the 
yelping of the watch-dog, which caused the opening of a little 
slide for observation, by a member of the family ; but seeing only 
four persons, the inmates supposed they were sugar makers. On 
reaching the door, and finding it fastened, the soldiers burst it 
open, and rushed into the house, much to the surprise and confu- 
sion of the family. " What do you want here ?" demanded Van 
Zuyler. " The tory George Cuck," was the reply. Van Zuyler 
said he was not in the house, but the assailants proceeded to the 
search. The other parties had now entered. There was a dark 
stairway leading to an upper room in which it was thought the 
object of their search might be concealed. As one of the party 
was about ascending the stairs, Quackenboss drew a large chest 
from the wall, when suddenly out sprang Cuck, from a hole in 
the floor, discharging a pistol at the party, but at the same mo- 
ment a bullet from the wary lieutenant entered his head, and he 
pitched forward upon the floor. The suddenness of his appear- 
ance had completely paralised most of the party, and the one who 
was ascending the stairs, was so startled by the sudden and rapid 
firing, that he came near tumbling back to the ground. Cuck was 
not yet dead, and one of the party placed the muzzle of his gun 



CAPTAIN HUDDY. 



279 



to his head, and blew his brains out. Thus fell the man who had 
imbrued his hands in the blood of his neighbors and countrymen. 
Had not the party divided into separate squads and obtained en- 
trance into the house before their object was known, his capture 
would doubtless have been only obtained at a great loss, for he 
was thoroughly prepared for a desperate resistance. As it was 
the rapidity only with which the work was done saved many valu 
able lives.* 



CAPTAIN HUDDY. 

Among those whose active zeal, and daring deeds made them 
objects of terror to the enemy, was Captain Joshua Huddy, who 
figured conspicuously in various encounters in Monmouth county, 
and otner parts of New Jersey. His dwelling was situated at 
Colt's Neck, about five miles from Freehold. Here in the sum- 
mer of 1780, he was attacked by a party of about sixty refugees 
commanded by one Tye, or Col. Tye as he was commonly called, 
who was a mulatto, and a daring fellow. He usually commanded 
a mongrel crew of negroes and tories, and was much feared 
through that section of the country. He is represented to have 
been a brave and an honorable man, and was far more respected 
as an enemy, than many of his brethren of a fairer complexion. 
On the occasion of this attack, Huddy had no other assistance but 
a young servant girl, but with his weak aid, he managed to de- 
ftmd the house for some length of time against the assailants. 



History of Schoharie Coiiuty. 



280 CAPTAIN HUDDY. 

Several muskets had fortunately been left in the house by the ^ 
guard, generally stationed there, but at this time absent. These 
the girl loaded, while Huddy, by appearing at different windows, 
and discharging them, gave the impression that there were many 
defenders.. He wounded several, and while Tye, their leader, was 
setting fire to the house, he shot him in the neck. Tye afterwards 
died of lockjaw occasioned by this wound. The flames now be- 
gan to increase so rapidly, that all hopes of maintaining the build- 
ing against the foes were at an end, and Huddy agreed to sur- 
render, provided they would extinguish the fire. 

When the enemy entered the building, they were much exas- 
perated at the feebleness of its defenders, and were only restrained 
by their leader from butchering them on the spot. The militia 
now collecting, they were obliged to retreat, carrying Huddy with 
them. Their boats were stationed near Black Point, between 
Shrewsbury and Nivisink rivers, which they reached with all pos- 
sible speed. As they pushed off from the shore, Huddy jumped 
overboard, and was shot in the thigh, as was supposed by the mi- 
litia, then in close pursuit. He held up one of his hands toward 
them, exclaiming, " / am Huddy ! I am Huddy .^" swam to the 
shore, and escaped. 

In March, 1782, about two years after the above incident, 
Huddy commanded a block house at Tom's river, which was at- 
tacked by a party of refugees from New York, and taken, after 
the ammunition was expended, and no alternative but surrender 
left. After the little brave garrison was in the power of the 
enemy, they deliberately murdered five men, even while they 
were asking for quarters. The prisoners were carried to New 
Y"ork, from which place Huddy was taken on board of a guard 
ship, hea\nly ironed, and thrown into the hold of the vessel. 



COLONEL FISHER. 281 

"While confined, lie was informed by one of the refugees that 
he was to be hanged, " for he had taken a certain Phil Hp White, 
a refugee in Monmouth Co., cut off both his arms, broke his legs, 
pulled out one of his eyes, damned him, and then bid him run." 
lie answered, " it is impossible I could have taken Phillip White 
I being a prisoner in New York at the time, closely confined, and 
for many days before he was made prisoner." Some of his com- 
rades confirmed this statement. ]S'ot\\athstanding this, four days 
after (April 12th) he was dragged from his prison, and conveyed 
by Captain Lippencott, commanding a company of sixteen refu- 
gees, to Gravelly Point, on the sea shore, at the foot of Neversink 
hills, when he was deliberately and barbarously executed. He 
made his will beneath the gallows with quiet composure, then 
mounted the barrel, and met his fate with an admirable and 
undisturbed firmness. 

For this deliberate murder, Washington resolved upon retalia- 
tion, and a correspondence to this effect was opened with Sir 
Henry Clinton. Capt. Lippencott was court-martialed, but was 
acquitted, as it appeared that he acted under orders. The speedy 
termination of the war, prevented Washington's plan of retalia 
tion from being carried out. 



COLONEL FISHER. 

A. PARTY of Indians, some twenty in number, attacked, on one 
"jf their incursions into the Mohawk Valley, the homestead of 
CgI. Fisher. They attempted to gain admittance into the house 
by cutting in the door, but being fired upon from a window, they 



282 COLONEL FISHER. 

retreated around the corner of tlie house, where they were less 
exposed, and were soon after joined by the main body of the 
enemy, some three hundred in number. An entrance was soon 
effected, but Col. Fisher and his brothers still defended the house, 
and a melee followed on the stairway. On their attempting tc 
ascend, several balls were fired up through the floor, but withou 
effect. At this period the sisters escaped from the cellar kitchen 
and fled to the woods. Mrs. Fisher in attempting to follow them, 
was struck down by a blow from the butt of a musket. The 
ammunition of the brothers was now exhausted, and their castle 
no longer tenable. Harman Fisher jumped from a back window, 
with the hope of escaping by flight, but just as he was about 
leaping a garden fence, the fatal bullet overtook him, and in a 
moment more the tomahawk had finished the work, and his scalp 
was seized upon as a trophy. As the enemy ascended the stairs, 
Col. Fisher discharged a pistol he held in his hand, and calling 
for quarters, threw it behind him, in token of submission. An 
Indian ran up, and struck him down with a tomahawk. He fell 
upon his face, and the Indian after scalping him, inflicted with 
his knife a gash in the back of the neck, and then turned him 
over with the intention of cutting his throat, but his cravat pre- 
vented it, the knife only entering just through the skin. His 
brother, Capt. Fisher, as the enemy ascended the stairs retreated 
to one corner of the room, but an Indian hurled a tomahawk at 
him, which brought him down, and he was then killed and 
scalped. The house was then plundered and fired, and tli 
savages departed. In a short time the consciousness of Col 
Fisher returned. He soon discovered the dead "^ody of his brother 
and also that the house was on fire. With great difficulty he 
s-ucceeded in dragging his brother's body from the building. At 



COLONEL FISHER. 283 

the door he found his mother, faint from the blow dealt on hei 
head, and too weak to render him any assistance. With almost 
incredible exertions, weak as he was from his numerous wounds, 
he succeeded in getting the body and his mother from the build- 
ing, and securing a bed, he dragged it from the flames to a little 
distance from the house, and threw himself upon it in an utter 
state of exhaustion. A negro slave belonging to one of the 
neighbors, soon after arrived at the spot. He inquired of the 
Colonel what he should do for him. Fisher, too weak to speak, 
signified by signs his desire for water. Tom, for that was the 
negro's name, hastened to procure water for the wounded man, 
and while engaged in this act of kindness, a tory neighbor ap- 
proaching, was applied to for assistance, but who only replied, 
"let the cursed rebel die." As soon as the Colonel could speak, 
he directed Tom to harness a span of colts then in pasture, which, 
from the fogginess of the morning, had escaped the notice of 
the enemy. Tom harnessed them to a wagon, in which tho 
bodies of the murdered brothers, and the Colonel and his mother 
were placed, and they were driven to a place of safety. Singular 
to state, the severe wounds of Col. Fisher all healed, and he lived 
until 1809, when he died of a complaint in the head, caused, no 
doubt, by the loss of his scalp. 



284 AN ESCAPE PROM 



AN ESCAPE FROM THE PRISON SHIP. 

" I WAS one of eight hundred and fifty souls confined in the 
Jersey, in the summer of '81, and witnessed several daring at- 
tempts to escape. They generally ended tragically. They were 
always undertaken in the night, after wrenching or filing the bars 
ofi" the port-holes. Having been on board several weeks, and 
goaded to death in various ways, four of us concluded to run the 
hazard. We set to work and got the bars off, and waited impa^ 
tiently for a dark night ; we lay in front of Mr. Remsen's door 
inside of the pier head, and not more than twenty yards distant. 
There were two guard sloops, one on our bow and the other off 
our quarter, a short distance from us. The dark night came — the 
firsi two were lowered quietly into the water — the third made 
some rumbling. I was the fourth that descended, but had not 
struck off from the ^'^es'sel before the guards were alarmed, and 
fired upon us. The alarm became general, and T was immedi- 
ately hauled on board. They manned their boats, and with their 
li^-hts and implements of death, w-^.re quick in pursuit of the 
ui fortunates, cursing and swearing, and bellowing and firing. 
It was awful to witness this scene of blood. It lasted about one 
hour — all on board trembling for our shipmates. These despe 
radoes returned to their different vessels rejoicing that they killed 
three d d rebels. 

" About three years after this 1 saw a gentleman in John street, 
near Nassau, who accosted me thus : — ' Manley, how do you do V 
1 could not recollect him. 'Is it possible you do not know me? 
recoilfCi Jie old Jersey,' and he opened his vest and bared his 
bif -^st 1 immediately said to him, ' You are James M'Clean.' 



THE PRISON SHII'. 285 

I am,' he replied. We both stepped into Marrener's public house, 
at the corner, and he related his marvelous escape to me. 

" ' They pursued me — I frequently dived to evade them, and 
when I came up, they fired on me. I caught my breath, and im- 
mediately dove again, and held my breath, till I crawled along 
the mud. They no doubt thought they killed me. I, however, 
with much exertion, though weak and wounded, made out to 
reach the shore, and got into a barn, not far from the ship, a 
little north from Mr. Remsen's house. The farmer, the next 
morning, came into his barn — saw me lying on the floor, and ran 
out in a fright. I begged him to come to me, and he did. I 
gave an account of myself — where I was from — how I was pur- 
sued, ^vith several others. He saw my wounds ; took pity on 
me ; sent for his wife, and bound up my wounds, and kept me 
in the barn till nightfall — took me into his house — nursed me 
secretly, and then furnished me with clothing, &c. ; and when I 
was restored, he took me with him, into his market boat, to this 
city, and went with me to the west part of the city — procured me 
a passage over to Bergen, and I landed somewhere in Communi- 
paw. Some friends helped me across Newark bay, and then I 
worked my way, until I reached Baltimore, to the great joy of 
all my friends.' "* 

* Revolutionary Incidents ot Long Island. 



i386 A DARING YOUTH 



A DARING YOUTH. 

The annexed incident which occured in Freehold, N. J., evinces 
an act of bravery in a mere youth, that renders it worthy of 
record. 

" On a fine morning in May, 1*780, as the family of Mr. David 
Firman, sherifi" of the county, were at breakfast, a soldier almost 
out of breath suddenly burst into the room, and stated, that as he 
and another soldier were conducting to the court-house two men, 
taken up on suspicion at Colt's Neck, they had knocked down 
his comrade, seized his musket, and escaped. The sheriff, on 
hearing this relation, immediately mounted his horse, and gal- 
loped to the court-house to alarm the guard. His son Tunis, a 
lad of about seventeen, and small of his age,- seized a musksi, 
loaded only with small shot to kill blackbirds in the cornfields, 
and putting on a cartridge-box, despatched his brother Samuel 
up stairs for the bayonet, and then, without waiting for it, hurried 
off alone in the pursuit. 

" After running in a westerly direction about a mile, he dis- 
covered the men sitting on a fence, who, on perceiving him, ran 
into a swamp. As the morning was warm, he hastily pulled off 
his coat and shoes, and darted in after them, keeping close upon 
them for over a mile, when they got out of the swamp, and each 
climbed into separate trees. As he came up, they discharged at 
Jiim the musket taken from the guard. The ball whistled over 
his head. He felt for his bayonet, and, at that moment, perceived 
that, in his haste, it was left behind. He then pointed his gun 
at the man with the musket, but deemed it imprudent to fire, re- 
flecting, even if he killed him, his comrade could easily master 



A DARING YOUTH. 287 

such a stripling as himself. He compelled the man to throw 
down the musket, by threatening him with death if he did not 
instantly comply. Then, loading the fuzee from his cartridge-box, 
he forced his prisoners down from the trees, and, armed with his 
two loaded muskets, he drove them toward the court-house, care- 
ful, however, to keep them far apart, to prevent conversation. 
Passing by a spring, they requested permission to drink. 

" ' No !' replied the unterrified boy, understanding their design. 
' You can do as well without it as myself ; you shall have some 
by-and-by.' 

" Soon after, his father, at the head of a party of soldiers in 
the pursuit, galloped past in the road within a short distance. 
Tunis hallooed, but the clattering of their horse's hoofs drowned 
his voice. At length he reached the village, and lodged his pris- 
oners in the county prison. 

" It was subsequently discovered that these men were brothers, 
from near Philadelphia, that they had robbed and murdered a 
Mr. Boyd, a collector of taxes in Chester county, and, when taken, 
were on their way to join the British. As they had been appre- 
hended on suspicions merely of beng refugees, no definite charge 
could be brought against them. A few days after, sheriff Fir- 
man saw an advertisement in a Philadelphia paper, describing 
them, with the facts above mentioned, and a reward of $20,000 
( Continental money) offered for their apprehension. He, accom- 
panied by his son, took them on there, where they were tried and 
executed. On entering Philadelphia, young Tunis was carried 
through the streets in triumph upon the shoulders of the military 
In the latter part of the war, this young man became very active, 
and was the particular favorite of Gen. David Forman." 



28S CRUFI.TY OF THE TORIES. 



CRUELTY OF THE TORIES. 

Many stories are told of the comparative kindness and cruelty 
of tlie Indians and Tories in the Border Wars of the Revolution 
The following incidents, from " Stone's Border Warfare of New 
York," will show that the white man often excelled in cruelty, his 
Indian ally. The Captain Brant spoken of, was the renowned 
Joseph Brant, or Thayendanega, the great leader of the Six Na- 
tions, and an object of terror to the western frontier of the State 
of New York. He frequently was called " a monster." 

"A lad in Schoharie county, named William M'Kown, while 
engaged in raking hay alone in a meadow, happening to turn 
round, perceived an Indian very near him. Startled at hife peril- 
ous situation, he raised his rake for defence, but his fears were 
instantly dissipated by the savage, who said, ' Do not be afraid, 
young man ; I shall not hurt you.' He then inquired of the 
JjPjTOuth for the residence of a loyalist named Foster. The lad gave 
him the proper direction, and inquired of the Indian whether he 
knew Mr. Foster ? ' I am partially acquainted with him,' was the 
reply, ' having once seen him at the Half-way Creek.' The In 
dian then inquired the lad's name, and having been informed, 
he added — ' You are a son of Captain M'Kown, who lives in th<? 
northeast part of the town, I suppose : I know your father ver\ 
well : he lives neighbor to Captain M'Kean : I know M'Kean 
very well, and a very fine fellow he is, too.' Emboldened by the 
familiar discourse of the Indian, the lad ventured to ask his name 
in turn. Hesitating for a moment, his rather unwelcome visitor 
replied : — ' My name is Brant !' ' What ! Captain Brant ?' eager- 



CRUELTY OF THE TORIES. 289 

\y denianded the youth. ' "N'o : I am a cousin of his,' was the 
rejoinder ; but accompanied by a smile and a look that plainly 
disclosed the transparent deception. It was none other than the 
terrible Thayeudanegea himself." 

On the other hand, the following tragic circumstance sustains 
the assertion that tlie Tories were oftentimes more cruel than their 
savage associates. While parties of Indians and Tories were 
prowling about the borders of Schoharie, the Indians killed and 
scalped a mother, and a large fjimily of children. 

" They had just completed the work of death, wdien some loy- 
alists of the party came up, and discovered an infant breathing 
sw^eetly in its cradle. An Indian warrior, noted for his barbarity, 
approached the cradle with his uplifted hatchet. The babe looked 
up in his face, and smiled ; the feelings of nature triumphed 
over the ferocity of the savage ; the hatchet fell with his arm, 
and he was about stooping down to take the innocent in his 
arms, when one of the loyalists, cursing him for his humanity, 
thrust it through with his bayonet, and, thus transfixed, held it 
up, struggling in the agonies of death, as he exclaimed — ' this, 
too, is a rebel /' " 

Here is another instance which proves that the Indian was 
often superior to his white companion in warfare, in magnanimity 
and generosity. Just after the invasion of Schoharie county by 
Brant, when the enemy had departed, a crowd of inhabitants w^ere 
gathered about Fort Hunter, each with a tale of sorrow and grief. 
Among them was a young woman whose grief was of the most 
poignant kind. She had lost her husband, an infant, and several 
other members of the family were dead, or prisoners. Presently 
a young Indian came upon the scene, with a letter in his hand, 
addressed "tc the commanding officer of Ihe rebel army," and 



29C AFFECTING SCENES. 

bearing an infant in his arms. The letter was opened and res.d 
as follows : — 

" Sir — I send you by one of my runners, the child which he 
will deliver, that you may know that whatever others may do, 1 
do not make war upon innocent childi'en, I am sorry to say I have 
those engaged with me in the service, who are more savage than 
the savages themselves." 

This was signed by Brant. The infant was found to belong to 
the disconsolate mother, and to her overwhelmning joy was re- 
stored to her bosom. 



AFFECTING SCENES. 

In the massacre of Cherry Valley, a Mr. Mitchell, while at work 
in a field, beheld a party of Indians approaching his house. He 
sprang forward in order to reach it, and protect his family, but the 
Indians reached it before him, and he was obliged to flee to the 
wood. Although pursued, he evaded his enemies and escaped. 
Upon returning, a terrible spectacle presented itself — it was the 
charred and burnt timbers of his house, and in the midst of the 
ruin, the bodies of his wife and four children. He flew to their 
sides, and upon examination, found life remaining in one of his 
r'.hildren, a little girl of twelve years of age. He raised her up 
with the hope of restoring her, when he beheld another party of 
the enemy approaching. He scarcely had time to hide himself 
behind a log fence, before they were at the house. From his 
biding place he had the inexpressible anguish to witness an mi-A- 



AFFECTING SCENES. 291 

moiis Tory, by tlie name of Newbury, extinguish the little spark 
of !if« remaining in his child, by a brutal blow from his hatchet. 
The next day unaided, he carried their bodies on a sled to the 
fort, and there the soldiers assisted him in the melancholy task 
of their burial. All that was left of those but a day before gath- 
ered around him in happiness and peace, were consigned to one 
common grave, and he stood alone, bereft of every joy for which 
he had lived and hoped. But retributive justice is not always si- 
lent. Newbury, who had so fiendishly robbed him of his only 
living child, was afterwards arrested as a spy, and by the evidence 
of Mr. Mitchell, was condemned and executed. 

About the same time of the murder of Mr. Mitchell's family, 
Mrs. Clyde, wife of Col. Clyde, on the approach of the Indians, 
collected together her children, and fled to the woods. That en- 
tire day, and all the succeeding night, she lay concealed under a 
log, with her children, and one of them an infant, gathered around 
her, with a pitiless st->rm of snow and rain chilling them to the 
bones, and the fi'ightf; i yells of the savages, and the shrieks of 
the murdered inhabitants, falling fearfully upon their ears. Par- 
ties of the savages passed by where she lay, and one so near that 
the butt of his gun trailed upon the log as he passed. At last a 
party from the fort, at the intei-cession of her husband, sallied out 
to her rescue, and brought them into the fort drenched with rain, 
and stiffened with cold. Mrs. Clyde had been unaccompanied by 
her eldest daughter, about ten years of age, and she supposed her 
to be safe in the fort, but when she arrived there, she learned that 
''he little girl had not been seen. She was afterwards discovered. 
When fleeing from the house, she had escaped to the woods alone, 
aiivl had remai'jed concealed all this while, thinly clad, and thus 



292 A. STORY OF A DOG. 

greatly exposed to the severity of the weather, and racked with 
momentary apprehensions of death.* 



A STORY OF A DOG. 

In 1778. just after the raising of the siege of Fort Stanwix, in 
the Mohawk Valley, the following occurrence took place. Cap- 
tain Gregg, and a corporal were out shooting during the day, 
when as evening drew near, they prepared to return to the fort. 
as parties of Indians were sometimes prowling about. But a flock 
of pigeons alighting near them, they were about to fire upon 
them, when two shots were heard, and Gregg saw his companion 
fall dead, while he felt a wound in his side, which so weakened 
him that he speedily fell. Two Indians immediately appeared 
from a thicket and approached them. Gregg at once saw that 
his only hope was to feign death. One of the savages struck him 
in the head with his hatchet, and then with his knife cut a circle 
around his crown, and with his teeth drew off his scalp. The In- 
dians now withdrew, and soon as they were fairly gone, Gregg, 
although suffering terribly from his wounds in his side and head 
resolved to endeavor to reach his companion, from a belief that 
■ j" he could place his head on the corporal's body, his anguish from 
the wound in his head would be essayed. He, therefore, made 
^n effcil to rise, but he had no sooner got to his feet, than he fell 
heavily. Not despairing, he essayed again, but with the same 
result. The third time he so far succeeded, as to be enabled to 

Campbell's Annals of Tyron County. 



A STORY OP A DOG. li^^3 

stagger slowly to the spot where the corporal lay. He found his 
companion lifeless and scalped. He placed his head upon his 
bloody body, and as he had hoped, this position aflforded him some 
relief. . 

But the comfort of this position was destroyed by the annoy 
ances of a small dog, which had accompanied him in his expedi 
tion, who now came up to him in great agony, leaping, yelping, 
and whining around his master, whom he annoyed by his great 
distress. ^ Wearied with his efforts to force the dog from him, 
he exclaimed involuntarily, "if you wish so much to help me, go 
and call some one to my relief." To his surprise, the dog imme- 
diately bounded off through the forest at his utmost speed. 

The dog made his way to where three men were fishing, about 
a mile from the scene where the tragedy was enacted, and as he 
came up to them, began to cry and whine, and endeavoring to 
attract their attention by bounding off into the woods, returning, 
and uro-ino- them to follow him. These extraordinary actions of 
the dog convinced the. m. en that there was some unusual cause, 
and they resolved to follow him. They proceeded for some dis- 
tance, and finding nothing, while darkness was already settled 
around, making the forest exceedingly dangerous, they deter- 
mined to return. But no sooner did they attempt to retrace then 
steps, than the dog began to cry out with his utmost violence, 
caught hold of their coats with his teeth, and endeavored to force 
them to follow. As they continued to return, the violence of the 
dog increased, until the men astonished at the pertinacity of his 
manner, concluaed to go with him. Presently, they came to 
where Gregg was lying, whom they found still living. They bur- 
ied th<! corporal, and carried the captain into the fort. Astonishing 
19 



294 DICEY LANGSTON. 

as it may seem, the wounds of Gregg, severe as they were, healed 
up, and he recovered his perfect health. 



DICEY LANGSTON. 

" Dicey Langston, was the daughter of Solomon Langston, of 
Laurens district. South Carolina. She possessed an intrepid spirit, 
which is highly serviceable in times of e. nergency, and -which, as 
she lived in the days of the Revolution, she had more than one 
opportunity to display. Situated in the midst of tories, and being 
patriotically inquisitive, she often learned by accident, or discov- 
ered by strategy, the plottings so common in those days, against 
the whigs. Such intelligence she was accustomed to communi- 
cate to the friends of freedom on the opposite side of the Ennoree 
river. 

" Learning one time that a band of loyalists — known in those 
parts as the ' Bloody scout' — were about to fall upon the ' Elder 
settlement,' a place where a brother of hers and other friends 
were residing, she resolved to warn them of their danger. To do 
this, she must hazard her own life. Ikit off she started, alone, in 
the darkness of the night ; travelled several miles through the 
woods, and over marshes and across creeks, through a country 
where foot-logs and bridges were then unknown ; came to the 
Tyger, a rapid and deep stream, into which she plunged and 
waded till the water was up to her neck ; she then became be- 
wildered, and zigzagged the channel for some time ; reached the 
opposite shore at length — for a helping Hand was beneath, a 
kind Providence guiding her : — hastened on ; reached the settle- 
ment, and her brother and the whole community were safe ! 



:^ 



DICEY LAN'GSTON. 295 

" Slio wrus returning one day from another settlement of wliigs 
— in the Spartanburg district, when a company of tories met her 
and questioned her in regard to the neighborhood she had just 
left; but she refused to communicate the desired information. 
The leader of the band then held a pistol to her breast, and threat- 
ened to shoot her if she did not make the wished for disclosure. 

" ' Shoot me if you dare ! I will not tell you !' was her daunt- 
less reply, as she opened a long handkerchief that covered her 
neck and bosom, thus manifesting a willingness to receive the 
contents of the pistol, if the officer insisted on disclosures or life. 
The dastard, enraged at her defying movement, was in the act 
of firing, at which moment one of the soldiers threw up the hand 
holding the weapon, and the" cowerless heart of the girl was per- 
mitted to beat on. 

" The brothers of Dicey were no less patriotic than she ; and 
they ha^ ing, by their active services on the side of freedom, greatly 
displeased the loyalists, these latter were determined to be re- 
venged. A desperate band accordingly went to the house of their 
father, and finding the sons absent, they were about to wreak 
their vengeance on the old man, whom they hated for the sons' 
sake. With this intent one of the party drew a pistol ; but just 
as it was aimed at the breast of her aged and infirm father. Dicey 
rushed between the two, and though the ruffian bade her get 
out of his way or receive in her own breast the contents of the 
pistol, she regarded not his threats, but flung her arms around 
her father's neck and declared she would receive the ball first, if 
the weapon must be discharged. Such fearlessness and willing- 
ness to offer her own life for the sake of her parent, softened the 
heart of the ' bloody scout,' and Mr. Langston lived to see bis 
noble daughter perform other heroic deeds. 



296 WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIANS. 

" One time her brother James, in his absence, sent to the hoiiso 
for a gun which he had left in her care, with orders for her to de- 
liver it to no one except by his direction. On reaching the house 
one of the company who were directed to call for it, made known 
their errand, whereupon she brought and was about to deliver the 
weapon. At this moment it occurred to her that she had not de- 
manded the countersio^n a<Treed on between herself and brother. 
With the gun still in her hand, she looked the company sternly 
in the face, and remarking that they wore a suspicious look, 
called for the countersign. Hereupon one of them, in jest, told 
her she was too tardy in her requirements ; that both the gun 
and its holder were in their possession. 

" ' Do you think so,' she boldly asked, as she cocked the dis 
puted weapon and aimed it at the speaker. ' If the gun is in 
your possession,' she added, 'take charge of it !' Her appearance 
indicated that she was in earnest, and the countersign was given 
without further delay. A hearty laugh on the part of the ' liberty 
men,' ended the ceremony." 



WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIANS. 

James Morgan, a native of Maryland, married at an early age, 
and soon after settled himself near Bryant's station, in the wilds 
of Kentucky. Like most pioneers of the west, he had cut down 
the cane, built a cabin, deadened the timber, enclosed a field with 
a worm fence, and planted some corn. 

It was on the fifteenth day of August, 1782 ; — the sun had 
descended ; a pleasant breeze was playing through the surrc»und- 



WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIANS. 297 

ing wood ; the tall cane bowed under its influence, and the broad 
green leaves of the corn waved in the air ; Morgan had seated 
himself in the door of his cabin, with his infant on his knee ; his 
young and happy wife had laid aside her spinning-wheel, and was 
busily engaged in preparing the frugal meal. That afternoon 
Morgan had accidentally found a bundle of letters, which he had 
finished reading to his wife before he had taken his seat in the 
door. It was a correspondence in which they had acknowledged 
an early and ardent attachment for each other, and the perusal 
left evident traces of joy on the countenance of both ; the little 
infant, too, seemed to partake of its parents' feelings by its cherub 
smiles, its playful humor, and infantile caresses. While thus 
agreeably employed, the report of a rifle was heard, another, and 
another, followed in quick succession. Morgan sprang to his feet, 
his wife ran to the door, and they simultaneously exclaimed " In 

DIANS !" 

The door was immediately barred, and the next moment all 
their fears were realized, by a bold and spirited attack of a small 
party of Indians. The cabin could not be successfully defended, 
and time was precious. Morgan, cool, brave, and prompt, soon 
decided. While he was in the act of concealing his wife under 
the floor, a mother's feelings overcame her — she arose — seized her 
infant, but was afraid that its cries would betray her place of con- 
cealment. She hesitated — gazed silently upon it — a momentary 
struggle between aflfection and duty took place. She once more 
pressed her child to her agitated bosom ; again and again kissed 
t with impassioned tenderness. The infant, alarmed at the pro- 
fusion of tears that fell upon its cheek, looked up in its mother's 
face, threw its little arms around her neck, and wept aloud. " In 
the name of Heaven, Eliza, release the child, or we shall be lost," 



298 WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIANS. 

said the distracted husband, in a soft imploring tone of voice, as 
he forced the infant from his wife ; hastily took up his gun, knife 
and hatchet ; ran up the ladder that led to the garret, and drew 
it after him. In a moment the door was burst open, and the sa 
vages entered. 

By this time, Morgan had secured his child in a bag, and lash- 
ed it to his back ; then throwing off some clapboards from the 
roof of his cabin, resolutely leaped to the ground. He was in- 
stantly assailed by two Indians. As the first approached, he 
knocked him down with the butt end of his gun. The other ad- 
vanced with uplifted tomahawk ; Morgan let fall his gun and 
" closed in." The savage made a blow — missed aim, but severed 
the cord that bound the infant on his back, and it fell. The con- 
tes.^ over the child now became warm and fierce, and was carried 
on with knives only. The robust and athletic Morgan, at length 
got the ascendancy. Both were badly cut, and bled freely, but 
the stabs of the white man were better aimed, and deeper, and 
the savage soon sunk to the earth in death. Morgan hastily took 
up his child and gun, and hurried off. 

The Indians in the house, busily engaged in drinking and plun- 
dering, were not apprized of the contest in the yard, until the one 
that had been knocked down gave signs of returning hfe, and call- 
ed them to the scene of action. Morgan was discovered, imme- 
diately pursued, and a dog put on his trail. Operated upon by 
all the feelings of a husband and a father, he moved on with the 
speed of a hunted stag, and soon outstripped the Indians, but the 
dog kept in close pursuit. Finding it impossible to outrun or 
elude the cunning animal, trained to hunts of this kind, he halted 
and waited until it came within a few yards of him, fired and 
brought him down — reloaded his gun, and again pushed foruard. 



WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIANS. 299 

In a short time lie reached the house of his brother, who resided 
between Bryant's station and Lexington, where he left the child, 
and the two brothers immediately set out for his dwelling. As 
they approached the clearing, a light broke upon his view — his 
speed quickened, his fears increased, and the most agonizing ap- 
prehensions crowded upon his mind. He emerged from the cano- 
brake — beheld his house in flames, and almost burnt to the 
ground. " My Wife !" he exclaimed, as he pressed one hand to 
his forehead, and grasped the fence with the other, to support his 
tottering frame. He gazed for some time on the ruin and deso- 
lation before him, advanced a few steps, and sunk exhausted to 
the earth. 

Morning came — the bright luminary of Heaven arose — and 
still found him seated near the almost expiring embers. In his 
right hand he held a small stick, with which he was tracing the 
name of " Eliza," on the ground — his left was thrown over his 
favorite dog, that lay by his side, looking first on the rum, and 
then on his master, with evident signs of grief. Morgan arose. 
The two brothers now made a search, and found some bones al- 
most burned to ashes, which they carefully gathered, and silently 
consigned to their mother earth, beneath the wide-spread branches 
of a venerable oak, consecrated by the purest and holiest recollec- 
tions. 

Several days after this, Morgan was engaged in a desperate 
battle at the lower Blue Licks. The Indians came off victors, and 
the surviving whites retreated across the Licking, but were pur- 
sued by the enemy for a distance of six-and-thirty miles. 

James Morgan was among the last that crossed the river, and 
was in the rear until the hill was descended. As soon as he be- 
held the Indians re-appear on the ridge, he felt anew his wrongs, 



300 WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM TNDIANS. 

and recollected the lovely object of his early affections. He 
urged on his horse and pressed to the front While in the act of 
leaping from his saddle, he received a rifle ball in his thigh, and 
fell ; an Indian sprang upon him, seized him by the hair, and 
applied the scalping-knife. At this moment Morgan cast his eyes 
upward and recognized the handkerchief that bound the head of 
the savage, and which he knew to be his wife's. This added re- 
newed strength to his body, and increased activity to his fury. 
He quickly threw his left arm around the Indian, and with a 
death-like grasp, hugged him to his bosom, plunged his knife into 
his side, and he expired in his arms. Releasing himself from the 
savage, Morgan crawled under a small oak, on an elevated piece 
of ground, a short distance fi-om him. The scene of action shift- 
ed, and he remained undiscovered and imscalped, an anxious 
spectator of the battle. 

It was now midnight. The savage band after taking all the 
scalps they could find, left the battle-ground. Morgan was seated 
at the foot of the oak, its trunk supported his head. The rugged 
and uneven ground that surrounded him was covered with the 
slain ; the once white and projecting rocks, bleached with the 
rain and sun of centuries, were crimsoned with the blood that had 
warmed the heart and animated the bosom of the patriot and the 
soldier. The pale glimmering of the moon, occasionally threw a 
faint light upon the mangled bodies of the dead, then a passing 
cloud enveloped all in darkness, and gave additional horror to the 
feeble cries of a few still lingeiing in the last agonies of protracted 
death, rendered doubly appal hng the coarse growl of the bear, the 
oud howl of the wolf, the shrill and varied notes of the wild cat, 
and the panther, feeding on the dead and dpng. Morgan beheld 



WONDERFUL ESCAPE PROM INDIANS. 301 

the scene with heart-rending sensations, and looked forward with 
the apathy of despair, to his own end. 

A large and ferocious looking bear, covered with blood, now 
approached him ; he threw liimself on the ground — silently com- 
mended his soul to Heaven and in breathless anxiety awaited his 
fate. The satiated animal slowly passed on without noticing him. 
Morgan raised his head — was about offering thanks for his unex- 
pected preservation, when the cry of a pack of wolves opened 
upon him, and again awakened him to a sense of his danger. He 
placed his hands over his eyes — fell on his face, and in silent 
agony awaited his fate. He now heard a rustling in the bushes 
— steps approached — a cold chill ran over him. — Imagination — 
creative, busy imagination, was actively employed ; death — the 
most horrible death, awaited him — his limbs would, in all proba- 
bility, be torn from his' body, and he be devoured alive. He felt 
a touch — the vital spark was almost extinguished — another touch 
more violent than the first, and he was turned over — the cold 
sweat ran down in torrents — his hands were violently forced from 
his face — the moon passed from under a cloud — a faint ray beam- 
ed upon him — his eyes involuntarily opened and he beheld his 
wife^ who, in scarce audible voice, exclaimed, " My husband ! — 
my husband /" and fell upon his bosom. 

Morgan now learned from his wife, that after the Indians had 
entered the house, they found some spirits and drank freely ; an 
altercation soon took place — one of them received a mortal stab 
and fell ; his blood ran through the floor on her. Believing it 
to be the blood of her husband, she shrieked aloud, and betrayed 
her place of concealment. She was immediately taken and bound, 
rhe party, after setting fire to the house, proceeded to Bryant's 
station. On the day of the battle of the Blue Licks, a horse, with 



302 A PATRIOTIC GIRL. 

saddle and bridle, rushed by her, wbicli she knew to be her hus- 
band's. During the action, the prisoners were left unguarded — 
made their escape, and lay concealed beneath some bushes under 
the bank of the river. After the Indians had returned from the 
pursuit, and left the battle-ground, she, with some other persons 
that had escaped with her, determined to make a search for theii 
friends, and if on the field, and li^dng, to save them if possible 
from the beasts of prey. After searching for some time, and 
almost despairing of success, she fortunately discovered him. 

The party of Colonel Logan found Morgan and his wife, and 
restored them to their friends, their infant, and their home. 



A PATRIOTIC GIRL. 

We find the following incident in the first volume of American 
Anecdotes, " original and select." The young heroine of the ad- 
venture, afterwards married a rich planter, named Therwits, who 
lived on the Congaree. 

" At the time General Greene retreated before Lord Rawdon 
from Ninety-Six, when he had passed Broad river, he was very de- 
sirous to send an order to General Sumter, who was on the Wa- 
teree, to join him, that they might attack Rawdon, who had 
divided his force. But the General could find no man in that 
part of the state who was bold enough to undertake so dan gerous 
a mission. The country to be passed through for many miles 
was full of blood-thirsty tories, who on every occasion that offered 
imbrued their hands in the blood of the whigs. At length Emily 
Geiger presented herself to General Greene, and proposed to act 



A PATRIOTIC GIRL. 303 

as his messenger : and the General, both surprised and delighted, 
closed with her proposal. He accordingly wrote a letter and de- 
Hvered it, and at the same time communicated the contents of it 
verbally, to be told to Sumter in case of accidents. 

" Emily was young, but as to her person or adventures on the 
way, we have no further information, except thp^i, she was mounted 
on horseback, upon a side-saddle, and on the second day of her 
journey she was intercepted by Lord Rawdon's scouts. Coming 
from the direction of Greene's army, and not being able to tell an 
untruth without blushing, Emily was suspected and confined to 
a room ; and as the officer in command had the modesty not to 
search her at the time, he sent for an old tory matron as more fit- 
ting for that purpose. Emily was not wanting in expedient, and 
as soon as the door was closed and the bustle a little subsided, 
she ate up the letter^ piece by piece. After a while the matron 
arrived, and upon searching carefully, nothing was to be found of 
a suspicious nature about the prisoner, and she would disclose 
nothing. Suspicion being thus allayed, the officer commanding 
the scouts, suffered Emily to depart wither she said she was 
bound ; but she took a route somewhat circuitous to avoid further 
detention, and soon after struck into the road, to Sumter's camp, 
where she arrived in safety. Emily told her adventure, and de. 
livered Greene's verbal message to Sumter, who, in consequence, 
feoon after joined the main army at Orangeburg." 



304 TRIALS OP A PATRIOT. 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

Thomas McCalla, lived in Chester district, South Carolina* 
during the latter part of the revolution. He was frequently in 
engagements, and in 1780, he fell into the hands of the enemy, 
was thrown into the jail at Camden, and threatened daily with 
hanging. The efforts of his wife to obtain his release, are de- 
tailed in the following manner, by Mrs. EUett. 

While this brave man was languishing in prison, expecting 
death from day to day, his wife remained in the most unhappy 
state of suspense. For about a month she was unable to obtain 
any tidings of him. The rumor of Sumter's surprise, and that of 
Steel, came to her ears ; she visited the places where those disas- 
ters had occurred, and sought for some trace of him, but without 
success. She inquired, in an agony of anxiety, of the women whc 
had been to Charlotte, for the purpose of carrying clothes or pro- 
visions to their husbands, brothers, or fathers, not knowing but 
that he had gone thither with the soldiers ; but none could give 
her the least information. Imagination may depict the harrowing 
scenes that must have passed, when females returning to their 
homes and children after carrying aid to the soldiers, were met 
by such inquiries from those who were uncertain as to the fate of 
their kindred. To these hapless sufferers no consolation availed, 
and too often was their suspense terminated by more afflicting 
certainty. 

In the midst of Mrs. McCalla's distress, and before she had 
gained any information, she was called to another claim on her 
anxiety ; her children took the small-pox. John was very ill for 
nine days with the disease, and his mother thought every day 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT 305 

would be his last. During this terrible season of alarm, while her 
mind was distracted by cares, she had to depend altogether apon 
herself, for she saw but one among her neighbors. All the fami- 
lies in the vicinity were visited with the disease, and to many it 
proved fatal. As soon as her child was so far recovered as to be 
considered out of danger, Mrs. McCalla made preparations to go 
to Camden. She felt convinced that it was her duty to do so, for 
she clung to the hope that she might there learn something of 
her husband, or even find him among the prisoners. 

With her to resolve was to act, and having set her house in or- 
der, she was in the saddle long before day, taking the old Charles- 
ton road leading down on the west side of the Catawba river. 
The mountain gap on Wateree creek was passed ere the sun rose, 
and by two o'clock she had crossed the river, passing the guard 
there stationed, and entered Camden. Pressing on with fearless 
determination, she passed the guard, and desiring to be conducted 
to the presence of Lord Rawdon, was escorted by Major Doyle to 
the head-quarters of that commander. His Lordship then occu- 
pied a large, ancient looking house on the east side of the main 
street. The old site of the town is now in part deserted, and that 
building left standing alone some four hundi-ed yards from any 
other, as if the memories associated with it had rendered the 
neighborhood undesirable. It was here that haughty and luxu- 
rious nobleman fixed his temporary residence, " sitting as a mon- 
arch," while so many true unfortunates, whose fate hung on his 
will, were languishing out their lives in prison, or atoning for 
their patriotism on the scaffold. 

Into the presence of this august personage, Mrs. McCalla was 
conducted by the British major. Her impression at first sight 
was fiivorable ; he was a fine looking young man, with a counte- 



306 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 



nanc'i not uupreposessing, which we may suppose was eagerly 
searched for the traces of human sympathy by one who felt that 
all Iier hopes depended on him. His aspect gave her some en- 
couragement, and being desired to explain the object of her visit, 
she pleaded her cause with the eloquence of nature and feeling * 
making known the distressed situation of her family at home, the 
fearful anxiety of mind she had suffered on account of the pro- 
longed absence of her husband and the ignorance of his fate, and 
her children's urgent need of his care and protection. From Ma- 
jor Doyle she had at length learned that he was held a prisoner 
by his lordship's orders. She had come, therefore, to entreat 
mercy for him ; to pray that he might be released and permittee 
to go home with her. This appeal to compassion she made with 
all the address in her power, nor was the untaught language of 
distress wanting in power to excite pity in any feeling heart. 

Lord Rawdon heard her to the end. His reply was character- 
istic. " I would rather hang such rebels than eat my break- 
fast." This insulting speech was addressed to his suppliant while 
her eyes were fixed on him in the agony of her entreaty, and the 
tears were streaming down her cheeks. His words dried up the 
fountain at once, and the spirit of the American matron was 
roused. 

" Would you ?" was her answer, while she turned on him a 
look of the deepest scorn. A moment after, with a struggle to 
control her feeUngs, for she well knew how much depended on 
that — she said, " I crave of your lordship permission to see my 
husband.'* 

The haughty chief felt the look of scorn his cruel language had 
called up in her face, for his own conscience bore testimony against 
.lim, but pride forba-le his yielding to the dictates of better feel 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 307 

mg. " You should consider madam," he answered, " in whose 
presence you now stand. Your husband is a rebel " 

Mrs. McCalla was about to reply — but her companion, the Ma- 
jor, gave her a look warning her to be silent, and in truth the 
words that sprang to her lips would have ill pleased the Briton. 
Doyle now interposed, and requested his lordship to step asidd 
with him for a moment. They left the apartment, and shortly af 
terwards returned. Rawdon then said to his visitor, with a stately 
coldness that precluded all hope of softening his determination : 
" Major Doyle, madam, has my permission to let you go into the 
prison. You may continue in the prison ten minutes only, Ma- 
jor, you have my orders." So saying, he bowed politely both to 
her and the officer, as intimating that the business was ended, and 
they were dismissed. They accordingly quitted the room. 

The sight of the prison-pen almost overcame the fortitude of 
the resolute wife. An enclosure like that constructed for animals, 
guarded by soldiers, was the habitation of the unfortunate pris- 
oners, who sate within on the bare earth, many of them suffering 
with the prevalent distemper, and stretched helpless on the ground, 
with no shelter from the burning sun of September. " Is it pos- 
sible," cried the matron, turning to Doyle, " that you shut up men 
in this manner, as you would a parcel of hogs !" She was then 
admitted into the jail, and welcome indeed was the sight of her 
familiar face to McCalla. The time allotted for the interview was 
too short to be wasted in condolement or complaint ; she told 
him she must depart in a few minutes, informed him of the state 
of his family — inquired carefully what were his wants, and prom 
ised speedy relief. When the ten minutes had expired, she again 
shook hands with him, assuring him she would shortly return 
with clothes for -his use, and what provisions she could brino-. 



108 TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

then turning walked away with a firm step, stopping to shake, 
hands with young John Adair and the other captives with whora 
she was acquainted. The word of encouragement was not want- 
ing, and as ohe bade the prisoners adieu, she said : " Have no 
fear ; the women are doing their part of the service." " I admire 
your spirit, madam," Doyle observed to her, " but must request 
you to be a little more cautious." 

Mrs. McCalla was furnished by the Major with a pass, which 
she showed to the officer on duty as she passed the guard on her 
return, and to the ofiicer at the ferry. She rode with all speed 
and was at home before midnight ; having had less than twenty- 
four hours for the accomplishment of her whole enterprise ; in 
that time riding one hundred miles, crossing the river twice, and 
passing the guard four times — visiting her husband, and having 
the interview with Lord Rawdon, in which probably for the first 
time in his life he felt uneasiness from a woman's rebuke. It 
convinced him that even in the breast of woman a spirit of inde- 
pendence might dwell, which no oppression could subdue, and 
before which brute force must quail, as something of superior 
nature. How must the unexpected outbreaking of this spirit, 
from time to time, have dismayed those who imagined it was 
crushed forever throughout the conquered province ! 

It is proper to say that Mrs. McCalla" met with kinder treat- 
ment from the other British officers to whom she had occasion to 
apply at this time, for they were favorably impressed by the 
courage and strength of affection evinced by her. Even the sol- 
diers, as she passed them, paid her marks of respect. The tories 
alone showed no sympathy nor pity for her trials ; it being con- 
stantly observed that there was deeper hostility towards the whigs 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 309 

on the part of their countrymen of different politics, than those 

of English birth. 

Mrs. McCalla began her work immediately after her arrival at 

home ; making new clothes, altering and mending others, and 

preparing provisions. Her preparations being completed, she 

again set out for Camden. This time she had the company of 

one of her neighbors, Mrs. Mary Nixon. Each of the women 

drove before her a pack-horse, laden with the articles provided 

for the use of their suffering friends. They were again admitted 

to the presence of Lord Rawdon to petition for leave to visit the 

prisoners, but nothing particular occurred at the interview. His 

lordship treated the matron who had offended him with much 

haughtiness, and she on her part felt for him a contempt not the 

less strong that it was not openly expressed. From this time she 

made her journeys about once a month to Camden, carrying 

clean clothes and provisions ; being often accompanied by other 

women bound on similar errands, and conveying articles of food 

and clothing to their captive fathers, husbands, or brothers. They 

rode without escort, fearless of peril by the way, and regardless of 

"fatigue, though the journey was usually performed in haste, and 

under the pressure of anxiety for those at home as well as those 

to whose relief they were going. On one occasion, when Mrs. 

McCalla was just about setting off alone upon her journey, news 

of a glorious event was brought to her ; the news of the battle of 

King's Mountain, which took place on the seventh of October. 

She did not stop to rejoice in the victory of her countrymen, but 

went on with a lightened heart, longing, no doubt, to share the 

joy with him who might hope, from the changed aspect of affairs, 

some mitigation of his imprisonment. 

. About the first of December, Mrs. McCalla went 
20 



310 TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

again to Camden. On tlie preceding trip she had met with Lord 
Cornwallis, by whom she was treated with kindness. Whatever 
hopes she had grounded on this, however, were doomed to disap- 
pointment ; he was this time reserved and silent. She was after- 
wards informed by the Major that a considerable reverse had be 
fallen his majesty's troops at Clermont, and the annoyance felt 
on this account — Doyle said — was the cause of his not showing 
as much courtesy as he usually did to ladies. " You must excuse 
him," observed the good-natured officer, who seems to have al- 
ways acted the part of a peace-maker on these occasions ; and he 
added that Cornwallis had never approved of the cruelties here- 
tofore practised. 

Towards the last of December the indefatigable wife again 
performed the weary journey to Camden. McCalla's health had 
been impaired for some months, and was now declining ; it was 
therefore necessary to make a strenuous effort to move the com- 
passion of his enemies, and procure his release. Rawdon was in 
command, and she once more applied to him to obtain permission 
for her husband to go home with her. As might have been an- 
ticipated, her petition was refused : his lordship informed her that 
he could do nothing in the premises ; but that if she would go to 
Winnsboro' and present her request to Lord Cornwallis, he might 
possibly be induced to give her an order for the liberation of the 
prisoner. 

To Winnsboro', accordingly, she made her way, determined to 
lose no time in presenting her application. It was on New Year's 
morning that she entered the village. The troops were under 
parade, and his lordship was engaged in reviewing them ; there 
could be no admission, therefore, to his presence for some time, 
and she had nothing to do but remain a silent spectator of the 



TRIALS OP A PATRIOT. 311 

imposing scene. A woman less energetic, and less desirous of 
improving every opportunity for the good of others, might have 
s :)ught rest after the fatigues of her journey, during the hours her 
business had to wait ; Sarah McGalla was one of heroic stamp, 
whose private troubles never caused her to forget what she might 
do for her country. She passed the time in noticing particularly 
everything she saw, not knowing but that her report might do 
service. After the lapse of several hours, the interview she craved 
with Cornwallis was granted. He received her with courtesy and 
kindness, listened attentively to all she had to say, and appeared 
10 feel pity for her distresses. But his polished expression of 
sympathy, to which her hopes clung with desperation, was accom- 
panied with regret that he could not, consistently with the duties 
of his Majesty's service, comply unconditionally vnth. her request. 
He expressed, nevertheless, entire willingness to enter into an ex- 
cliange with General Sumter, releasing McCalla for any prisoner 
he had in his possession. Or he would accept the pledge of Gene- 
ral Sumter that McCalla should not again serve until exchanged, 
and would liberate him on that security. " But, madam," he 
added, " it is Sumter himself who must stand pledged for the 
keeping of the parole. We have been too lenient heretofore, and 
have let men go who immediately made use of their liberty to 
take up arms against us." 

With this the long-tried wife was forced to be content, and she 
now saw the way clear to the accomplishment of her enterprise. 
>he lost no time in returning home, and immediately set out for 
'Jharlotte to seek aid from the American general. She found 
5umter at this place, nearly recovered of the wounds he had re- 
ceived in the action at Blackstock's, in November. Her appeal 
to him was at once favorably received. He gave her a few lines. 



312 TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

stating that he would stand pledged for McCalla's continuance at 
home peaceably until he should be regularly exchanged. This 
paper was more precious than gold to the matron whose per- 
severance had obtained it ; but it was destined to do her little 
good. She now made the best of her way homeward. After 
crossing the Catawba, she encountered the army of General Mor 
gan, was stopped, being suspected to be a tory, and taken into his 
presence for examination. The idea that she could be thus sus- 
pected afforded her no little amusement, and she permitted the 
mistake to continue for some time, before she produced the paper 
in Sumter's hand-writing which she well knew would remove 
every difficulty. She then informed the general of her visit to 
Winnsboro' on the first of January, and her sight of the review 
of the troops. Morgan thanked her for the information and dis 
missed her, and without further adventure she arrived at her 
own house. 

A few days after her return, the British army, being on its 
march from Winnsboro', encamped on the plantation of John 
Service, in Chester district, and afterwards at Turkey creek. Mrs. 
McCalla went to one of those camps in the hope of seeing Lord 
Cornwallis. She succeeded in obtaining this privilege ; his lord- 
ship recognised her as soon as she entered the camp, and greeted 
her courteously, questioning her as to her movements, and mak- 
ing many inquiries about Sumter and Morgan. On this last 
•point she was on her guard, communicating no more information 
than she felt certain could give the enemy no manner of adv^an- 
tage, noi' subject her friends to inconvenience. At length she 
presented to the noble Briton the paper which she imagined 
would secure her hushand's freedom. What was her disappoint- 
ment when he referred her to Lord Rawdon, as the proper person 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 313 

to take cognizance of the affair ! The very name was a death- 
blow to her hopes, for she well knew she could expect nothing 
from his clemency. Remonstrance and entreaty were alike in 
vain ; Corn wal lis was a courteous man, but he knew how, with a 
bland smile and well-turned phrase of compliment, to refuse com 
pliance even with a request that, appealed so strongly to ever} 
feeling of humanity, as that of an anxious wife pleading for the 
suffering and imprisoned father of her children. She must sub- 
mit, however, to the will of those in powder; there was no re- 
source but another journey to Camden, in worse than doubt of 
the success she had fancied just within her reach. 

It was a day or two after the battle of the Cowpens, that she 
crossed the ferry on her way to Camden. She had not yet heard 
of that bloody action, but, observing that the guard was doubled 
at the ferry, concluded that something unusual had occurred. As 
she entered the village, she met her old friend Major Doyle, who 
stopped to speak to her. His first inquiry was if she had heard 
the news ; and when she answered in the negative, he told her 
of the " melancholy affair" that had occurred at Cowpens. The 
time, he observed, was most inauspicious for the business on 
which he knew she had come. " I fear, madam," he said, " that 
his lordship will not treat you well." 

" I have no hope," was her answer, " that he will let Thomas 
go home; but, sir, it is my duty to make efforts to save my hus- 
band. I will thank you to go with me to Lord Rawdon's 
quarters." 

Her reception was such as she had expected. As soon as 
Rawdon saw her, he cried angrily, " You here again, madam 
Well — you want your husband — I dare say ! Do you not know 
what the rebels have been doino; ?" 



314 TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

" I do not, sir," replied the dejected matron, for she saw that 
his mood was one of fury. 

" K we had hung them," he continued, " we should have been 
saved this. Madam ! I order you most positively never to come 
into my presence again !" 

It was useless, Mrs. McCalla knew, to attempt to stem the tide ; 
she did not therefore produce, nor even mention the paper giveik 
her by Sumter, nor apologise for the intrusion by saying that 
Lord Cornwallis had directed her to apply to him ; but merely 
answered in a subdued and respectful tone by asking what she 
had done. 

" Enough !" exclaimed the irritated noble. " You go from 
one army to another, and Heaven only knows what mischief you 
do ! Begone." 

She waited for no second dismissal, but could not refrain from 
saying, as she went out, in an audible voice, " My countrymen 
must right me." Lord Rawdon called her back and demanded 
what she was saying. She had learned by this time some lessons 
in policy, and answered, with a smile, " We are but simple coun- 
try folk." His lordship probably saw through the deceit, for 
turning to his oflBcer, he said, " Upon my life, Doyle, she is a 
wretch of a woman !" And thus she left him. 

That great event — the battle of the Cowpens — revived the 
spirits of the patriots throughout the country. Everywhere, as 
the news spread, men who had before been discouraged flew to 
arms. The action took place on the seventeenth of January, 
1781 ; on the twenty-second of the same month, six wagons were 
loaded with corn at Wade's island, sixty miles down the Catawba 
for the use of General Davison's division. The whole whig coun- 
try of Chester, York and Lancaster may be said to have risen in 



TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 315 

mass, and was rail ing to arms. Mecklenburg, Nortli Carolin;i,, 
was again the seen*, of warlike preparations ; for the whigs hoped 
to give the enemy another defeat at Cowans or Batisford on the 
Catawba. On the twenty-fourth of January, General Sumter 
crossed this river at Landsford, and received a supply of corn from 
Wade's island. His object was to cross the districts to the west, 
in the rear of the advancing British army, to arouse the country 
and gather forces as he went, threaten the English posts at Ninety- 
Six and Granby, and go on to recover the State. While Corn- 
wallis marched from his encampment on Service's plantation, the 
whigs of Chester, under the gallant Captain John Mills and James 
Johnston, were hovering near, watching the movements of the hos- 
tile army as keenly as the eagle watches his intended prey. 
Choosing a fit opportunity, as they followed in the rear, the)' 
pounced upon a couple of British officers, one of whom was Ma- 
jor McCarter, at a moment when they had not the least suspicion 
of danger, took them prisoners in sight of the enemy, and made 
good their retreat. By means of this bold exploit the liberation 
of McCalla was bi'ought about, at a time when his wife was 
wholly disheartened by her repeated and grievous disappointments. 
When General Sumter passed through the country, a cartel 
of exchange was effected, giving the two British officers in 
exchange for the prisoners of Chester district in Camden and 
Charleston. 

The pei-son sent with the flag to accomplish this exchange in 
Camden, was Samuel Neely of Fishing creek. As he passed 
through the town to the quarters of Lord Rawdon, he was seen 
and recognized by the prisoners, and it may be supposed their 
hearts beat with joy at the prospect of speedy release. But in 
consequence of some mismanagement of the business, the unfor 



31(i TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

tunate men were detained in jail several wt eks longer. Neelj' 
was in haste to proceed to Charleston, being i.nxious, in the ac- 
complishment of his mission in that city, to get his son Thomas 
out of the prison-ship, and in his hm-ry probably neglected some 
necessary formalities. His countrymen in Camden were kept in 
confinement after his return from Charleston with his son. Cap- 
tain Mills was informed of this, and indignant at the supposed 
disrespect shown by Lord Rawdon to the cartel of General Sum 
ter, wrote a letter of remonstrance to Rawdon, which, he en- 
trusted to Mrs. McCalla to be conveyed to him. 

Our heroine was accompanied on this journey by Mrs. Mary 
Dixon, for she judged it impolitic that the letter should be deliv- 
ered by one so obnoxious to his lordship as herself. Still she 
deemed it her duty to be on the spot to welcome her liberated 
husband, supply all his wants, and conduct him home. The dis- 
tance was traversed this time with lighter heart than before, for 
now she had no reason to fear disappointment. When they ar- 
rived dt Camden, they went to the jail. John Adair was standing 
at a window ; they saw and greeted each other, the women stand- 
ing in the yard below. Perhaps in consequence of his advice, or 
prudential considerations on their part, they determined not to 
avail themselves of the good offices of Major Doyle on this occa 
si on. Adair directed them to send the jailor up to him, and 
wrote a note introducing his sister to the acquaintance of Lord 
Rawdon. The two women then proceeded to the quarters of 
that nobleman. When they arrived at the gate, Mrs. McCaila 
stopped, saying she would wait there, and her companion pro- 
ceeded by herself. She was admitted mto the presence of Lord 
Rawdon, who read the note of introduction she handed to him, 
and observed, referring to the writer — that the small-pox had al- 



TRIALS OP A PATRIOT. 



317 



most finished him ; still he had come very near escaping from the 
jail ; that he was " a grand 'scape-gallows." On reading the let- 
ter of Captain Mills, his color changed, and when he had finished 
it, turning to Mrs. Nixon, he said in an altered tone : " I am sorry 
these men have not been dismissed, as of right they ought." He 
immediately wrote a discharge for eleven of the prisoners, and 
put it into her hands, saying : " You can get them out, madam 
I am very sorry they have been confined so many weeks longer 
than they should have been." At the same time he gave Mrs. 
Nixon a guinea. " This," he said, " will bear your expenses." 

His lordship accompanied her on her way out, and as she 
passed through the gate his eye fell on Mrs. McCalla, whom he 
instantly recognized. Walking to the spot where she stood near 
the gate, he said fiercely : " Did I not order you, madam, to keep 
out of my presence ?" The matron's independent spirit flashed 
from her eyes, as she answered : "I had no wish, sir, to intrude 
myself on your presence; I stopped at the gate on purpose 
to avoid you." Unable to resist the temptation of speaking 
her mind for once, now that she had a last opportunity, she 
added : " I might turn the tables on you, sir, and ask, why did 
you come out to the gate to insult a woman ? I have received 
from you nothing but abuse. My distresses you have made sport 
of, and I ceased long since to expect anything from you but ill 
treatment. I am now not your supplicant ; I came to demand^ 
as a right, the release of my husband !" So saying, she bowed 
to him contemptuously, wheeled about, and deliberately walked 
oflF, without stopping to see how her bold language was received. 
Mrs. Nixon hastened after her pale as death, and at first too much 
frightened to speak. As soon as she found voice, she exclaimed : 



318 TRIALS OF A PATRIOT. 

" Sally ! you have ruined us, I am afraid ! Wliy, he may put us 
both in jail !" 

Mrs. McCalla laughed outright. " It is not the first time, Mary," 
she replied, " that I have given him to understand I thought him 
a villain !" The two made their way back to the prison, but even 
after they got there Mrs. ISTixon had not recovered from her ter- 
ror. She was informed that it would be some time before the 
prisoners could be released. The blacksmith was then sent for, 
and came with his tools. The sound of the hammering in the 
apartments of the jail, gave the first intimation to the women 
who waited to greet their friends, that the helpless captives were 
chained to the floor. This precaution had been adopted not 
long before, in copsequence of some of the prisoners having at- 
tempted an escape. They were then put in handcuffs or chained 
by the ankle. These men left the place of their long imprison- 
ment and suffering in company with the two women, and as they 
marched through the streets of Camden, passing the British 
guard, they sang at the top of their voices, the songs of the 
" liberty-men." 



MRS. SHUBRICK. 

The following anecdotes of Mrs. Richard Shubrick may be 
found in the First Series of Major Garden's Revolutionary Anec- 
dotes. " There was," he writes, " an appearance of personal de- 
bility about her that rendered her peculiarly interesting : it seem- 
ed to solicit the interest of everv heart, and the man would have 



MRS. SHUBRICK. 319 

felt himself degraded who would not have put his life at hazard 
to serve her. Yet, when firmness of character was requisite, when 
fortitude was called for to repel the encroachments of aggression 
Ibere was not a more intrepid being in existence. 

*' An American soldier, flying from a party of the enemy 
sought ner protection, and was promised it. The British, pressing 
close upon him, insisted that he should be delivered up, threaten 
inff immediate and universal destruction in case of refusal. The 
ladies, her friends and companions, who were in the house with 
her, shrunk from the contest, and were silent ; but, undaunted by 
their threats, this intrepid lady placed hereelf before the chamber 
into which the unfortunate fugitive had been conducted, and re- 
solutely said, ' To men of honor the chamber of a lady should 
be as sacred as the sanctuary ! I will defend the passage to it 
though I perish. You may succeed, and enter it, but it shall be 
over my corpse.' ' By God,' said the officer, ' if muskets were 
only placed in the hands of a few such women, our only safety 
would be found in retreat. Your intrepidity, madam, gives you 
security ; from me you shall meet no further annoyance.' 

" At Brabant, the seat of the respectable and patriotic Bishop 
Smith, a sergeant of Tarleton's dragoons, eager for the acquisition 
of plunder, followed the overseer, a man advanced in years, into 
the apartment where the ladies of the family were assembled, and 
on his refusing to discover the spot in which the plate was con- 
cealed, struck him with violence, inflicting a severe sabre wound 
across the shoulders. Aroused by the infamy of the act, Mrs. 
Shubrick, starting from her seat, and placing herself betwixt the 
ruffian and his victim, resolutely said, ' Place yourself behind me, 
Murdoch ; the interposition of my body shall give you protection, 
or I will die :' then, addressing herself to the sergeant, exclaimed. 



320 THE PRIVATEER. 

* O what a degradation of manhood — what departure from that 
gallantry which was once the characteristic oC British soldiers. 
Human nature is degraded by your barbarity; — ^but should you 
persist, then strike at me, for till I die, no further injury shall be 
done to him.'' The sergeant, unable to resist such commanding 
eloquence, retired."* 



THE PRIVATEER. 

GusTAVus CoNYNGHAM, who Commanded one of the American 
Privateers, was an object of great terror to the British. His ves- 
sel was called the " Revenge," and the fear which that dreaded 
name inspired, was augmented by the exaggerated statements 
that were industriously circulated in references to its commander. 
He was represented as a man of gigantic frame and ferocious 
countenance, and prints of him after this fashion were exhibited 
in London shop windows, and labelled, " The Arch Rebel." He 
was repeatedly captured by the enemy, treated with the most 
barbarous severity, and only saved from execution by the reso- 
lutions of Congress, which declared that his death should be 
avenged by that of certain royalist officers then in custody. 



* " The hope, however, of attaining the object in view, very speedily 
subjected the unfortunate Murdoch to new persecution. He was tied up 
under the very tree where the plate was buried, and threatened with imme- 
diate execution unless he would make the discovery required. But although 
well acquainted with the unrelenting severity of his enemy, and earnestly 
solicited by his wife, to save his life by a speedy confession of the place of 
deposit, he persisted resolutely, that a sacred trust was not to be betrayed, 
and actually succeeded in preserving it." 



THE PRIVATEER. 321 

During the early part of the war, when the teiTor of his name 
was shared by every Englishman on the sea, a vessel was cruising 
near the West India Islands, on board of which Avere three ladies, 
who suffered many apprehensions of meeting with the terrible 
privateer, whom story and tradition represented as a monster in 
human form. Suddenly one day, when the ladies v/ere upon the 
deck, a cry came from aloft — " A sail ! a sail !" In an instant all 
was confusion. The captain hastened up the shrouds to examine 
the appearance of the stranger. A few moments sufficed to make 
its character known. It was no other than the terrible privateer. 
The captain returned to the deck, and communicated the un- 
pleasant news, which at once threw the ladies into an agony of 
fear. They retired to the cabin, in tears, and half fainting. 

The strange sail gradually drew near. There was no chance 
of escape ; and a gun from the vessel at once denoted its object. 
The pursued vessel lay-to, and a boat put off from the stranger, 
containing two officers and several men. They soon stood upon 
the Englishman's deck. The commanding officer was a young 
man of about twenty-five, of a light, elegant figure, and a face 
pleasing in the extreme, marked by a slight shade of melancholy. 
He made some inquiries concerning the vessel, and on being in- 
formed that there were ladies in the cabin, colored, and said to 
his lieutenant — that he would have to go and say to them, the 
passengers vvere not prisoners, but guests. The lieutenant ex- 
o.used himself by saying that he had not " confidence enough tc 
speak to them," when the first speaker went into the cabin. 

The terrified ladies, momentarily expecting the appearance of & 
gigantic monster, were surprised by the entrance into the cabin 
of a slightly formed and elegant figure, who greeted them with 
marked respect. The fears of the ladies were at once dispelled. 



322 THE PRIVATEER. 

The youngest with much naivete, asked if he was really a pi- 
raCe. 

" I am captain of an American privateer," he answered, " and 
he, I trust, cannot be a pirate." 

" Are you the captain of the ' Revenge ?' " 

" I am." 

" Is it possible you are the man represented to be a bloody and 
ferocious pirate, whose chief delight is in scenes of carnage ?" in 
quired the ladies. 

" I am that person of whom these nursery tales have been told ; 
whose picture is hung up to frighten children. I have suffered 
much from British prisons and from British calumny ; but my 
sufferings will never make me forget the courtesy due to la- 
dies." 

The ladies could not realize that these were the sentiments of 
a man common report had branded as ferocious and blood- 
thirsty. 

The vessels lay together for several days. During this time 
Conyngham showed the most marked respect to the passengers, 
and succeeded in winning their esteem. The lieutenant's relation 
of his many gallant achievments awakened even a deeper interest 
with the ladies. It soon became evident that Conyngham was 
smitten with the charms of the younger of the party, who evinced 
great pleasure in the society of the captain. The gallant Ameri- 
can had achieved a conquest not anticipated by his fair captive. 
After a few days, the ladies were placed on board a vessel bound 
to one of the islands. They parted with the captain with regret. 
But with one the separation was not of long duration. They 
.met again, and not many months elapsed ere the American led 
a lovely and beautiful bride to the altar. Tlie romantic manner 



THE MAIDEN WARRIOR. 323 

of their meeting, and the marvellous stories told of the fiendish 
American pirate, served, no doubt, in after times to make them 
merry. 



v.. 



THE MAIDEN WARRIOR. 

We have recorded in an earlier part of this volume, the ex- 
ploits of Sergeant Jasper, of Marion's brigade, but we did not give 
an account of an incident, connected with him, of a most romantic 
and touching nature. 

Sometime just before, or about the beginning of the war, he 
had the good fortune to save the life of a young, beautiful, and 
dark-eyed Creole girl, called Sally St. Clair. Her susceptible na- 
ture was overcome with gratitude to her preserver, and this soon 
ripened into a passion of love, of the most deep and fervent kind. 
She lavished upon him the whole wealth of her affections, and the 
whole depths of a passion nurtured by a southern sun. When he 
was called upon to join the ranks of his country's defenders, the 
prospect of their separation almost maddened her. Their parting 
came, but scarcely was she left alone, than her romantic nature 
prompted the means of a re-union. Once resolved, no considera- 
tion of danger could dampen her spirit, and no thought of conse- 
quences could move her purpose. She severed her long and jetty 
ringlets, and provided herself with male attire. In these she 
robed herself, and set forth to follow the fortunes of her lover. 

A smooth faced, beautiful, and delicate stripling appeared among 
the hardy, rough, and giant frames, who composed the corps to 
which Jasper belonged. The contrast between the stripling and 



324 THE MAIDEN WARRIOR. 

these men, in their uncouth garbs, their massive faces, embrowned 
and discolored by sun and rain, was indeed striking. But none 
were more eager for the battle, or so indifferent to fatigue, as the 
fair faced boy. It was found that his energy of character, reso- 
lution and courage, amply supplied his lack of physique. None 
ever suspected him to be a woman. Not even Jasper himself, al- 
though she was often by his side, penetrated her disguise. 

The romance of her situation increased the fervor of her pas- 
sion It was her delight to reflect that, unknown to him, she was 
by his side, watching over him in the hour of danger. She fed 
her passion by gazing upon him in the hour of slumber, hovering 
near him, when stealing through the swamp and thicket, and be- 
ing always ready to avert danger from his head. 

But gi-adually there stole a melancholy presentment over the 
poor girl's mind. She had been tortured with hopes deferred ; 
the war was prolonged, and the prospect of being restored to him 
grew more and more uncertain. Bi^ now she felt that her dream 
of happiness could never be realized. She became convinced that 
death was about to snatch her away from his side, but she prayed 
that she might die, and he never knew to what length the vio- 
ence of her passion led her. 

It was an eve before a battle. The camp had sunk into repose. 
The watchfires were burning low, and only the slow tread of sen- 
tinels fell upon the profound silence of the night air, as they 
moved through the dark shadows of the forest. Stretched upon 
the ground, with no other couch than a blanket, reposed the war- 
like form of Jasper. Climbing vines trailed themselves into a 
canopy above his head, through which the stars shone down soft- 
ly. The faint flicker from the expiring embers of a fire fell ath- 
wart his countenance, and tinired the cheek of one who bent abova 



THE MAIDEN WA.RRIOR. 325 

his couch. It was the smooth faced stripling. She bent low 
down as if to listen to his dreams, or to breathe into his soul plea- 
sant visions of love and happiness. But tears trace themselves 
down the fair one's cheek, and fall silently, but rapidly upon the 
brow of her lover. A mysterious voice has told her that the hour 
of parting has come- ; that to-morrow her destiny is consummated. 
There is one last, long, lingering look, and then the unhappy maid 
is seen to tear herself away from the spot, to weep out her sorrows 
in privacy. 

Fierce and terrible is the conflict that on the morrow rages on 
that spot. Foremost in the battle is the intrepid Jasper, and 
ever by his side fights the stripling warrior. Often during the 
heat and the smoke, gleams suddenly upon the eyes of Jasper 
the melancholy face of the m ai den. In the thickest of the fight, sur- 
rounded by enemies, the lovers fight side by side. Suddenly a 
lance is levelled at the breast of Jasper ; but swifter than the 
lance is Sally St. Clair. There is a wild cry, and at the feet of 
Jasper sinks the maiden, with the life blood gushing from the 
white bosom, which had been thrown, as a shield, before his breast. 
He heeds not now the din, nor the danger of the conflict ; but 
down by the side of the dying boy he kneels. Then for the first 
time does he learn that the stripling is his love ; that often by the 
:amp fire, and in the swamp, she had been by his side ; that the 
dim visions, in his slumber, of an angel face hovering above him, 
had indeed been true. In the midst of the battle, with her lover 
bv her side, and the barb still in her bosom, the heroic maiden 
dies ! 

Her name, her sex, and her noble devotion, soon became known 

through the corps. There was a tearful group gathered around 

her grave ; there was not one of those hardy warriors, who did 
21 



326 MAJOR ISRAEL FEARING. 

not bedew her gi*ave with tears. They buried her near the river 
Santee, " in a green shady nook that looked as if it had been 
stolen out of Paradise." ^t/'l/")^ 



MAJOR ISRAEL FEARING. 

On the 7th of September, 1778, the British troops made an at- 
tempt to destroy the village of Fairhaven, in Massachusetts, but 
were thwarted in their plans, by the bravery of Major Israel Fear- 
ing. Fairhaven is situated opposite New Bedford, on the Acusha 
net river, and is connected with the latter city by a long bridge. 
The following account of the enemy's attack, and their repulse, is 
from " Dwight's Travels :" 

" They proceeded up the river with the intention of burning 
Fairhaven, but a critical attention to their movements, had con- 
vinced the inhabitants of their design, and induced them to pre- 
pare for their reception. The militia of the neighboring country 
were summoned to the defence. Their commander was a man 
far advanced in years. Under the influence of that languor which 
at this period enfeebles both the body and the mind, he deter 
mined that the place must be given up to the enemy, and that no 
opposition to their ravages, could be made with any hope of suc- 
cess. This decision of their officer necessarily spread its benumb- 
ing influence over the militia, and threatened an absolute preven 
tion of all enterprise, and the destruction of this handsome village 

" Among the officers, belonging to the brigade, was Israel Fear 
ing, a major of one of the regiments. This gallant young man 
observing the torpor which was spreading among the troops, invi- 



MAJOR ISRAEL FEARING. 327 

ted as many as had sufficient spirit to follow him, and station 
themselves at the post of danger. Among those who accepted 
the invitation, was one of the colonels, who of course became the 
commandant; but after they had arrived at Fairhaven, and the 
night had come on, he proposed to march his troops back into the 
country. He was warmly opposed by Major Fearing, and find- 
ing that he could not prevail, prudently retired to a house three 
miles distant, where he passed the night in safety. 

" After the colonel had withdrawn. Major Fearing now com- 
mander-in-chief, arranged his men with activity and skill ; and 
50on perceived the British approaching. The militia, in the 
strictest sense, raw, already alarmed by the reluctance of their 
superior officers to meet the enemy, and naturally judging that 
men of years must understand the real state of the danger better 
than Major Fearing, a mere youth, were panic-struck at the ap- 
proach of the enemy, and instantly withdrew from their post. 
At this critical moment, the major, with the decision which awes 
men into a strong sense of duty, rallied them ; and placing him- 
self in the rear, declared, in a tone which removed all doubt, that 
he would kill the first man whom he found retreating. The reso- 
lution of their chief recalled theirs. With the utmost expedition 
he led them to the scene of danger. The British had already 
set fire to several stores. Between these buildings and the rest of 
the village, he stationed his troops, and ordered them to lie close 
in profound silence, until the enemy, who were advancing, should 
have come so near, that no marksman could easily mistake his ob- 
ject. The orders were punctually obeyed. When the enemy 
had arrived within this distance, the Americans rose, and with a 
well directed fire gave them a warm and unexpected reception. 
The British fled instantly to their boats, and fell down the rivor 



328 CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN. 

with the utmost expedition. From the quantity of blood found 
the next day in their line of march, it was supposed that their 
loss was considerable. Thus did this heroic youth, in oppositfon 
to his superior officers, preserve Fairhaven, and merit a statue 
from rts inhabitants. 



CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN. 

Shortly after Ethan Allen's celebrated conquest of Ticonde 
roga, he joined the expedition into Canada, under Generals 
Schuyler and Montgomery. He had no commission from con- 
gress, but was induced by the commanding officers to follow the 
army, under a promise that he should, when occasion required, 
command certain detachments in the army. He was despatched 
into Canada with letters to the Canadians, explaining the object 
of the expedition, which was not aimed against the inhabitants of 
the country, their liberties or religion, but against the British pos- 
sessors. The Canadians were invited to make common cause 
with the continentals, and expel the invader. His message was 
partly successful, and numbers of Canadians joined the congressi- 
onal banner. 

On a second expedition of a similiar nature, he was in- 
duced to undertake an enterprise against Montreal. Matters 
promised him success, but at a critical moment many of his Cana- 
dian allies abandoned him. The result was a total defeat, which 
ended in the surrender of himself and party. 

When he was brought before General Prescott, the command- 
ing English officer, he was asked his name and title. The reply 



CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN 329 

cast the Briton into a towering passion. He could not torget the 
loss of Ticonderoga, and time had not softened the bitterness of 
hatred he felt against the hero of that glorious adventure. The 
Englishman so far forgot his position, as to threaten the person 
of Allen with his cane, and applied to him every offensive ephithet 
he could command. • Finding that Allen confronted him witli an 
undaunted gaze, he looked around for something else on which to 
wreak his hatred. He ordered the Canadians who had been 
taken with Allen, to be brought forward, and executed. As they 
were brouo-ht forward, wrino-inof their hands in consternation at 
the prospect of death, the heart of Allen was touched, as he could 
but feel their present position was brought about by his instru- 
mentality. He, flierefore flung himself between the executioners 
and the intended victims, opened his coat, and told General Pres- 
cott to let his venofeance fall on him alone, as he was the sole 
cause of the Canadians taking up arms. 

The guard paused, and looked towards their General, and in- 
deed it was a moment of suspense and interest to all present. 
The General stood quiet a moment or two in hesitation, and then 
said — "I will not execute you now; but you shall grace a hal- 
ter at Tyburn," accompanying his speech with a series of em- 
phatic oaths. 

Allen was now removed on board the Gaspee schooner of 
war, loaded with irons of immense weight, and cast into the hold 
of the vessel. Here his sufferings were of the most acute nature. 
His only accommodations were a chest, on which he sat during 
the day, and which served him as a couch at night. The irons 
upon his ankles were so tight, that he conld scarcely lie down, 
and then only in one position. Here he was visited by many 



JoU CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN. 

officers of the English army, some of whom treated him civilly, 
but others were ab'isive and insulting. 

At the expiration of six weeks, he was removed to a vessel off 
Quebec, where he received kind and courteous treatment. Here 
he remained until his removal on board of the vessel which was 
to carry him to England. Here all of the prisoners, thirty-four, 
were thrust into a small apartment, each heavily ironed. They 
were compelled during the whole voyage to remain in their con- 
finement, and were subjected to every indignity that cruelty 
could invent. 

When first ordered to enter into their filthy apartment, Allen 
refused, and endeavored to argue their brutal keeper out of his 
inhuman purpose, but all in vain. The reply' to his appeal was 
insults of the grossest kind, and an officer of the vessel insulting 
him by spitting in his face, hand-cutfed as he was, the intrepid 
American sprang upon the dastard, and knocked him at length 
upon the floor. The fellow hastily scrambled out of the reach of 
Allen, and placed himself under the protection of the guard. Al- 
ien challenged him to fight, ofiering to meet him even with irons 
upon his wrists, but the Briton, trembling with fear, contented 
himself with, the protection afforded him by British bayonets, and 
did not venture to oppose the intrepid American. The prisoners 
were now forced into their den at the point of the bayonet. 

The suflferings of the captives during the voyage were intense. 
Their privations soon brought on diarrhoea and fevers. But not- 
withstanding their sickness, they received no attention from their 
gaolers, and even those who were crazed with raging thirst, were 
denied the simple boon of fresh water. 

On arri\ang at Falmouth, the prisoners were all marched 
through the town, to Pendennis Castle, about a mile distant. The 



CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN. 331 

fame of Allen had preceeded him, and multitudes of people were 
gathered along the route to gaze upon him, and the other pris- 
oners. The throng was so great, that the guard were compelled 
to force a passage through the crowd. Allen appeared conspi- 
cuous among his fellow prisoners, by his eccentric dress. When 
captured, he was taken in a Canadian dress, consisting of a red 
shirt, a red worsted cap, a short fawn-skin jacket, and breeches 
of sagathy ; and in this dress he was escorted through the won- 
dering crowd at Falmouth. Ticonderoga was a place of notoriety 
in England, and the hero who had so signally conquered it, was 
an object of interest and wonder to the people. 

Allen was now visited by a great number of people, some of 
whom were attracted from great distances, in order to see and 
converse with the American celebrity. Discussion ran high as to 
his eventual disposal. Some declared that he would be hung 
and argued the justice of the act. But others defended and 
supported the Americans. Even in parliament the merits of the 
question were discussed. 

From their prison in Pendennis Castle they were removed to 
the Solebay frigate, to be removed to America, stopping at Cork 
for provisions and water. The commanding officer was harsh 
and cruel, and on the first day, ordered the prisoners from the 
deck, declaring that it was a place for gentlemen only to walk. 
A few days after Allen shaved and dressed, and proceeded to the 
deck. The captain addressed him in great rage, and said, " Did 1 
not order you not to come on deck ?" Allen replied that he had 
said that it was the place for gentlemen to walk, and that he 
was Col. Allen, a gentleman and soldier, who had not been pro- 
perly introduced to him. His reply was char.-K-teristic of his bru 



332 CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN. 

tal disposition. " G — d d n you, don't walk on the same 

side of the deck that I do." 

The sufferings of the prisoners continued, but when at Cork, 
their situation received the attention of several benevolent gen- 
tlemen, who exerted themselves to allieve them. Ample stores 
and clothing were sent on board, but the captain refused privilege 
to the prisoners to enjoy them. 

The vessel proceeded to America, first casting anchor in the 
harbor of Cape Fear, North Carolina. From this place Allen was 
removed to Halifax. Here his treatment continued of the same 
kind, that, from the first had characterized his captivity. He re- 
ceived here some kind attentions from Captain Smith, which he 
afterwards had occasion to return in a signal manner. After a 
confinement of two months he was removed to a man-of-war, to 
be conveyed to New York, for the purpose of effecting an ex- 
change. When arrived on board of the vessel he was delighted 
to find that he was under the command of Captain Smith, who 
had before served him. 

T^Hien Col. Allen met Captain Smith on board the vessel, he 
greeted him with thanks for his kindness. The noble captain 
disclaimed all merit, and said : " This is a mutable world, and 
one gentleman never knows but that it may be in his power to 
help another." This sentiment was strikingly verified in the 
30urse of the voyage. 

One night, as they were sailing along the coast of Rhode Is- 
land, Captain Burk and a few other prisoners, came to Allen with 
a plan for destroying the British officers, seizing the vessel, and 
carrying her into some friendly port. A large quantity of cash 
on board was held up as an inducement for the enterprise. But 
Captain Smith had generously distinguished the prisoners, and 



CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLEN. 333 

for this reason Allen strongly condemned the plan. He declared 
that if the attemjDt was made, he would assist in the defence of 
the Briton with all his skill and strength. Finding the conspiracy 
so strenuously opposed by the most influential of the prisoners, it 
was abandoned, upon the assurance that they should not be be- 
trayed. 

Upon arriving in New York Col. Allen was released on parole, 
but restricted to the limits of New York. An attempt was made 
soon after to induce him to join the British ranks. He was offer- 
ed a heavy sum of money, and large tracts of laud, either in 
New Hampshire or Connecticut, when the country was conquered. 
The integrity of the man, however, was unassailable. His reply 
to the proposition was characteristic. He said that the offer re- 
minded him of a certain incident in Scripture. The devil, he said, 
took Christ to a high hill, and showing him the kingdoms of 
earth, offered him their possession, if he would fall down and 
worship him, "when all the while the damned soul had not one 
foot of land upon earth !"' It may be believed that those sent 
to negotiate with him did not fail to understand the illustration. 

Col. Allen, in a narrative of his captivity, written by himself, 
gives a fearful account of the condition of the A merican prisoners 
in New York. Before his exchange he was arrested on the ab- 
surd charge of breaking his parole, and thrown into the provost 
jail. Here he remained from August to May, during which time 
he witnessed instances of sufferinof of the most asfonizino- kind, 
and was himself compelled again to feel the barbarous treatment 
of British officials. At the expiration of the above period he was 
exchanged, and once more tasted of the sweets of freedom. 



334 A FAIR EXCHANGE. 



A FAIR EXCHANGE. 

"In 17*79, Maj^r General Silliman was appointed Superinten 
daut of the Coast of Fairfield, Connecticut. In the month of 
May, Sir Henry Clinton directed a small company to cross the 
sound from Lloyd's Neck, and, if possible, make him prisoner 
One of them was an inhabitant of Newtown, and he was well ac- 
quainted wim the general's residence, and the best modes of access 
to it. The party consisted of eight, who reached the house about 
midnight. The family were awakened by a violent assault upon 
the door. The general sprang from bed, seized a musket, and 
upproached the door. As he passed the window, he saw the men, 
and at once comprehended their design. He attempted to fire, 
but his musket only flashed. At that instant the assailants broke 
through the window, and seized him, exclaiming, that he was their 
prisoner, and that he must go vnili them. They permitted him 
to dress, but plundered him of pistols, gun and sword, and then 
hurried him away to the shore. As they approached the shore 
of Lloyd's Neck, Col. Simcoe, the commanding oflBcer, who was 
waiting for them, exclaimed, ' Have you got him ?' They an- 
swered. Yes. ' Have you lost any men V No. ' That is well, 
replied Simcoe, ' your Sillimans are not worth a man, nor your 
Washingtons.' Gen. Silliman's eldest son was taken with him 
They were ordered to the guard house. 

" At that time there was no prisoner in the hands of the Ame- 
ricans whom the British would accept for the general, and conse- 
quently it was determined to procure one. The person selected 
was the Hon. Thomas Jones, of Fort Neck, Long Island, and 
Captain Daniel Hawley undertook to secure his person. On the 



A patriot's sufferings. 3'So 

4t]i of November, aided by twenty-five volunteers, he proceeded 
to Mr. Jones' residence at about nine in the evening. There was 
a ball in the house, and the noise of music and dancing prevented 
the approach of the adventurers being heard. Captain Hawley 
knocked at the door, and perceiving that nobody heard him, 
forced it, and found Judge Jones standing in the entry. He in- 
stantly told him he was his prisoner, and immediately conducted 
him off noiselessly, together with a young gentleman whose name 
was Hewlett. A guard of soldiers was posted at a small distance 
from the road. When they came near the spot. Judge Jones 
hemmed very loud, and was forbidden by Capt. Hawley to repeat 
the sound. He, however, did repeat it ; but being told by his 
conductor that another repetition would be followed by fatal -con- 
sequences, he desisted. They reached their destination safely with 
their prisoner. Mr. Jones was hospitably entertained at the house 
of Mrs. Silliman, and when the exchange was efi"ected, the vessels 
that contained them met mid way on the sound. The two gen- 
tlemen havdng dined together, parted, and proceeded immediately 
to their respective places of destination." 



A PATRIOT'S SUFFERINGS. 

" Soon after the battle of Long Island, an event occurred which 
exhibited m bold relief the intrepidity and patriotism of Captain 
Birdsall, a whig oflScer. An American vessel, laden with flour 
or the army, had been captured by the British, in the Sound ; and 
Dol. Birdsall believing she might be retaken, offered, if the under- 
taking was approved of by his superior oflScer, to superintend the 



336 COLONEL JOHN SMALL. 

enterprize himself. The proposal was accepted, when the captain, 
with a few select men, made the experiment, and succeeded in 
sending the vessel to her original destination. But it so happen- 
ed that himself and one of his men were taken prisoners by the 
enemy. It was his fate to be imprisoned in the jail, then called 
the Provost, under the surveillance of that monster in human 
shape, the infamous Cunningham. He requested the use of pen, 
ink, and paper, for the purpose of acquainting his family of his 
situation. On being refused, he made a reply, which drew from 
the keeper some opprobious epithets, accompanied by a thrust of 
his sword, which penetrated the shoulder of his victim, and caused 
the blood to flow freely. Being locked up alone in a filthy apart- 
ment, and denied any assistance whatever, he was obliged to dress 
the wound with his- own linen ; and then to endure, in solitude 
and misery, every indignity which the malice of the Provost-mar- 
shal urged him to inflict upon a damned rehel^ who, he declared, 
* ought to he huny^ After several miserable months of confinement 
and starvation, he was exchanged." 



COLONEL JOHN SMALL. 

Colonel John Small was an oflScer in the British army, who 
had served in the French wars, and was the dearly valued friend 
of Israel Putnam, When the war broke out with the mother 
country, he obeyed the dictates of his prejudices, and supported 
the cause of the king, as he was undoubtedly bound to do by his 
birth and allegiance. The following incidents, which occurred at 
Bunker Hill, he has given to the world himself. They redound 



COLONEL JOHN SMALL. 337 

to the credit of Putnam, as well as confirm his own reputation for 
honor and coui-age. They were related to Mr. Turnbull, in Lon- 
don, in 178G, who at that time was engaged on a painting of the 
battle, and we give them in his own words. " When the British 
troops advanced the second time to the attack of the redoubt, T, 
with other officers, was in front of the line to encourage the men 
we had advanced very near the works undisturbed, when an irre- 
gular fire, like a feu de joie was poured in upon us ; it was cruelly 
fatal. The troops fell back, and when I looked to the right and 
the left, I saw not one oflScer standing ; I glanced my eye to the 
enemy, and saw several young men levelling their pieces at me ; 
T knew their excellence as marksmen, and considered myself gone. 
At this moment my old friend Putnam rushed forward, and stri- 
king up the muzzles of their pieces with his sword, cried out, ' For 
God's sake, my lads, don't fire at that man — I love him as I do 
my brother ? We were so near each other that I heard his words 
distinctly. He was obeyed ; I bowed, thanked him, and walked 
away unmolested. 

"The other anecdotes relate to the death of General Warren. 
At the moment when the troops succeeded in carrying the redoubt 
and the Americans were in full retreat. Gen. Howe, who had been 
hurt by a spent ball, which bruised his ancle, was leaning on my 
arm. He called suddenly to me : ' Do you see that elegant young 
man who has just fallen ? do you know him ?' I looked to the 
spot to which he pointed — ' Good God, sir, I believe it is my 
friend Warren.' ' Leave me then instantly — run — keep off" the 
troops, save him if possible.' I fled to the spot, ' My dear friend, 
said I to him, ' I hope you are not badly hurt :' — he looked up 
seemed to recollect me, smiled, and died ! A musket ball had 
passed through the upper part of his head " 



338 ADVENTURE BY TWO LADIES. 




\DVENTURE BY TWO LADIES. 

During the seige of Augusta, two ladies, Grace and Rachael 
Martin, residing in the Ninety-Six district. South CaroKna, learn- 
ing upon one occasion, that a courier, under the protection of two 
British soldiers, was to pass their residence, bearing important 
dispatches, resolved by a well planned stratagem to surprise the 
party, and deprive the courier of the papers. Disguising them- 
selves in male attire, and provided with arms, they concealed 
themselves in a thicket on the road side, and patiently awaited 
the approach of the enemy. It was night, and the darkness fa 
vored their plan. They had not remained long in their conceal- 
ment, before the courier and his escort made their appearance. 
They were riding carelessly along, without apprehension of danger, 
when suddenly two figures sprang from a bushy covert, and loudly 
demanded the dispatches, at the same time presenting their pis- 
tols in a threatening manner. Bewildered and alarmed, they 
yielded at once without any resistance. The ladies then placed 
them on parole, and hastened home by a near route through the 
woods, and had scarcely arrived and divested themselves of their 
male attire, when the same j)arty came riding up to the door, re- 
questing accommodations. The mother of the heroines admitted 
them, and asked why they had returned, after passing her house 
but a short time before. They replied by exhibiting their paroles, 
and stating that they had been taken prisoners by " two rebels,*' 
The young ladies, unsuspected by their guests, rallied them of 
their unfortunate adventure, and inquired " why they did not use 
their arms", to which they replied, " that they were fallen upon so 
sudden, they had not time." During their stay, they were as 



CAPTURE OF GENERAL WOODHULL. 339 

severely overcome by the malicious wit and raillery of the ladies, 
as they had been before, by their superior bravery and cunning. 
The next day they rode away, little dreaming that their hosts had 
been their conquerors. The dispatches obtained in the heroic 
manner described, were sent to General Greene, and proved of 
importance. 



CAPTURE OF GENERAL WOODHULL. 

On August 28th, 1*7 76, a party of British light horse, entered 
Jamaica, Long Island, in pursuit of General Woodhull, who had 
left that town but a short time before. He was pursued and over- 
taken at Carpenter's inn, two miles east of Jamaica, where he haa 
sought shelter from the rain. He had dispatched his men, some 
ninety in number, on in advance, while he remained, expecting 
messengers from Congress. The general was just coming out of 
the house, and proceeding to the shed where his horse was tied, 
when the enemy appeared, dashing up to him, and shouting, 

" surrender, you d d rebel !" The general delivered his sword. 

on the assurance from his captors, that he should be treated like 
an honorable prisoner, and a gentleman. But no sooner was the 
venerable soldier completely in their power, than they brutally 
commanded him to say " God save the King !" " God save us 
all !" was his sublime reply. " God save the king," they again 
shouted, and struck at him ferociously. His head, and uplifted 
arm received the sabre cuts aimed at him, and seven gashes let out 
the patriot's blood. All wounded and bleeding as he was, he was 
mounted behind one of the troopers, and hurried oflf to Jamaica, 



340 BRITISH BARBARITY. 

where the surgeon of the village was refused permission to dress 
liis wounds. A British surgeon was called in, who bungingly did 
the work. The next day he was removed to the Prison ship, 
where, notwithstanding his mangled condition, he was obliged to 
sleep on the bare floor of the transport, until a lieutenant privately 
provided him with a mattrass. His arm mortified, and death 
ensued. 



BRITISH BARBARITY. 

On Arnold's expedition into Connecticut, it became necessa."v, 
in order to secure possession of New London, to capture Fort Gris- 
wold, situated on the opposite side of the river. Col. Eyre, with 
a large body of men, was dispatched against it ; and although 
the Americans resisted spiritedly, the works were carried by the 
enemy. During the contest, one of the guns in the fort was 
becoming useless for the want of wadding, when a patriotic lady, 
who was in the fort, instantly loosed a flannel petticoat fi'om her 
person, and threw it to the gunners, with the exclamation, " this 
will enable you to fire a few shots more." 

The scene that ensued upon the surrender of the fort, is one of 
the blackest stains on the English flag. But few of the Americans 
were killed during the contest, but after the surrender, seventy of 
them were massacred in cold blood. When Major Montgomery 
entered the fort, (his superior. Col. Eyre, being wounded) he asked 
who commanded it. The brave Col. Ledyard, responded very 
civilly, " I once had that honor, the command is yo-ur's now ;'* 
at the same time offering his sword. The brutal Major instantly 



ADVENTURE OF CHARLES MORGAN. 34J 

seized it, and plunged it into the breast of" his unarmed foe. An 
American officer standing by, instantly revenged this treachery by 
cutting down Montgomery, but was in turn slaughtered. This 
example of the officer was, instantly followed by a general slaugh- 
ter of the prisoners. The British afterward loaded an ox-cart with 
wounded Americans, and started it down a hill with the intention 
of running it into the river, but just as it obtained considerable 
velocity, it struck a large tree, and the concussion was so great, 
that several were killed by it, and all put to the keenest torture. 
What are we to think of sucn. wanton barbarity ! But even this 
did not satisfy them. After removing their own dead and 
wounded, they laid a train of powder to the magazine, and left 
the fort, although there were several wounded Americans within 
it. But the explosion was prevented by a wounded soldier, who 
crawled upon the train, and saturated it with his life blood, so that 
the fire could not communicate with the magazine. 



ADVENTURE OF CHARLES MORGAN. 

Charles Morgan, was a shrewd private of the Jersey brigade, 
a good soldier, and had attracted the notice of the Marquis de la 
Fayette. In the course of the movements on James river, the 
marquis was anxious to procure exact information of the force un- 
der Cornwallis, and if possible, to penetrate his lordship's designs ; 
he considered Charles as a proper agent for the accomplishment 
of his purposes, and proposed to him to enter the British camp in 
the character of a deserter, but in reality as a spy. Charles un- 
dertook the perilous enterprise, merely stipulating that, if he wei.e 
22 



342 ADVENTURE OF CHARLES MORGAN. 

detected, the marquis should cause it to be inserted in the Jersey 
newspapers, that he was acting under the orders of his command- 
ing officer. 

The pretended deserter entered the British Hues and was conduct- 
ed into the presence of Cornwallis. On being questioned by that 
nobleman, concerning his motives for desertion, he replied, " that 
he had been with the American army from the beginning of the 
war , and that while under General Washington, he was satisfied ; 
but now that they had put them under a Frenchman, he did not 
like it, and therefore had deserted." Charles was received with- 
out suspicion, was punctual in discharging his duty as a soldier, 
and carefully observed everything that passed. One day while on 
duty with his comrades, Cornwallis, who was in close conversation 
with some of his officers, called him and asked, " How long wili 
it take the marquis to cross James river ?" 

" Three hours, my lord," was the answer. 

" Three hours !" exclaimed his lordship, " will it not take three 
days ?" 

" No, my lord," said Charles ; " the marquis has so many boats, 
each boat will carry so many men ; and if your lordship will take 
the trouble of calculating, you will find he can cross in three 
hours." Turning to his officers, the earl said, in the hearing of 
the American, " the scheme will not do." 

Charles was now resolved to abandon his new friends : and for 
that purpose plied his comrades with grog, till they were all in 
high spirits with the liquor. He then began to complain of the 
wants in the British camp, extolled the plentiful provision en 
joyed by the Americans, and concluded by proposing to them to 
desert: they agreed to accompany him, and left it to him to 
manage the sentinels. To the first he offered, in a very friendly 



ADVENTURE OF CHARLES MORGAN. 3lv> 

manner, a draught of rum from his canteen ; but, while the sol- 
dier was drinking, Charles seized his arms, and then proposed to 
him to desert with them, which he did through necessity. The 
second sentinel was served in the same way ; and Charles has- 
tened to the American camp at the head of seven British deserters 
On presenting' himself before his employer, the marquis exclaimed 
" Ah, Charles ! have you got back ?" 

" Yes sir," was the answer, " and have brought seven more with 
me." The marquis offered him money, but he declined accepting 
it, and only desired to have his gun again : the marquis then pro- 
posed to raise him to the rank of a corporal or sergeant, but 
Charles' reply was, " I will not have any promotion ; I have abili- 
ties for a common soldier, and have a good character : should I 
be promoted, my abilities may not answer, and I may lose my 
character." He, however, generously requested for his fellow-sol- 
diers, who were not so well supplied with stockings, shc-es, and 
clothing, as himself, the marquis' interference to procure y^ «unply 
of their wants. 



344 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 



The following daring exploits, which we draw from various 
sources, admirably illustrate the sagacity and coolness of our 
backwoodsmen. Had they been performed by mailed and gaunt- 
letted knights of old, and sung by minstrel chroniclers, they 
would to this day, be the favored themes of poets, and have be- 
come immortalized. Assuredly thoy are as well worthy a place 
in history, when enacted by those, whose unconquerable spirits 
helped to form and rear the independence of our country, as if 
performed by the half-robber hero of the middle ages. Heroism 
is heroism, and no more, w^hether it glows beneath a leather-jerkin 
or a steeled breast-plate. 

DAVID ELERSON. 

David Elerson was one of those bold spirits, who took an 
active part in the Border Wars of the Revolution, along the Mo- 
hawk Valley, and on the western frontiers of the State of New 
York. He tollowed Sullivan in his celebrated invasion of the 
Indian Territory in 1779, and while Morgan's rifle corps, to which 
he belonged, was stationed at the head of Otsego Lake, occurred 
the following adventure : 

" He had rambled off to an old clearing, at the distance of a 
.T,ile or more from the camp, to gather pulsp for dinner. Havino' 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 345 

filled his knapsack, wliile adjusting it in order to return to camp, 
he was startled at the rustling of the tall and coarse herbage 
around him, and in the same instant beheld ten or a dozen In- 
dians, who had crept upon him so cautiously as to be just on the 
point of springing to grasp him. Their object clearly was rather 
to make him a prisoner than to kill him, since he might easil} 
have been shot down unperceived. Seizing his rifle, which was 
standing by his side, Elerson sprang forward to escape. A shower 
of tomahawks hurtled through the air after him ; but as he 
plunged into a thicket of tall weeds and bushes, he was only 
Titruck on one of his hands, his middle finger being nearly severed. 
A brisk chase was immediately commenced. Scaling an old 
brush-wood fence, Elerson darted into the woods, and the Indians 
after him. He ^vas as fleet as a stag, and percei^Hlng that they 
were not Hkely soon to overtake, the pursuers discharged their 
rifles after him, but luckily without effect. The chase was then 
continued from eleven till three o'clock — Elerson using ev^ery de- 
vice and stratagem to elude, or deceive the Indians, but they hold- 
ing him close. At length, having gained a moment to breathe, 
an Indian started up in his front. Drawing up his rifle to clear 
the passage in that direction, the whizz of a bullet fleshing his 
side, and the crack of a rifle, from another point, taught him that 
delays were particularly dangerous at that spot. The Indian in 
front, however, had disappeared on his presenting his rifle, and 
Elerson again darted forward. His wounded side bled a httle, 
though not enough to w^eaken him. Having crossed a ridge, he 
paused a moment in the valley beyond, to slake his thirst — his 
mouth being parched, and himself almost tainting. On rising 
from th^ brook, the hrad of one of his pursuers peeped over the 
cr*^-*^ ^ lie hill He raised his rifle, but such was his exhaustion 



346 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTfERS. 

he could not hold it steady. A minute more, and he would have 
been in the power of the savages. Raising his rifle again, and 
steadying it by the side of a tree, he brought the savage tumbling 
headlong down the hill. In the next moment his trusty rifle was 
re-loaded and primed, and in the next the whole group of his 
pursuers came rushing over the ridge. He again supposed his 
moments were numbered ; but being partly sheltered by the trunk 
of a large hemlock, they saw not him, but only the body of their 
fallen comrade yet quivering in the agonies of death. Drawing 
in a circle about the body of their companion, they raised the 
death wail ; and as they paused, Elerson made another effort to 
fly. Before they resumed the pursuit, he had succeeded in bury- 
ing himself in a dark thicket of hemlocks, where he found the 
hollow trunk of a tree, into which he crept. Here he lay en- 
sconced two full days, ^\nthout food or dressings for his wound. 
On the third day he backed out of ' the loop-hole of his retreat,' 
but knew not which way to proceed — not discerning the points 
of the compass. In the course of two or three miles, however, he 
came to a clearing, and found himself at Cobleskill — having, 
during his recent chase, run over hill and dale, bog, brook, and 
fence., upward of twenty-five miles !" 



" About the same time, and probably by the same party of In- 
dians, the premises of a Mr. Shankland, lying in their tract, situ- 
ated in the outskirts of Cherry Valley, were assaulted. Residing 
two cr three miles from the village, his house had escaped the 
commcn destruction which had fallen upon his neighbors in the 
preceding autumn. But he had nevertheless removed his family 
f.) the valley of the Mohawk for safety, and had retiii-ned to his 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 347 

doi-nicil accompanied only by Ms son. They were awakened just 
before dawn by the assailants, who were endeavoring to cut away 
the door with their hatchets. Taking down his two guns, Mr. 
Shankland directed his son to load them, while he successively 
fired to the best advantage. But not being able to see the ene 
mv. he determined upon a sortie. Having a spear, or espontoon, 
in the house, he armed himself therewith, and carefully unbarring 
the door, rushed forth upon the besiegers, who fled back at his 
sudden apparition. One of the Indians whom he was specially 
pursuing, tumbled over a log, and as Mr. Shankland struck at 
him, his spear entered the wood, and par-ted from the shaft. 
Wrenching the blade from the log, he darted back into the house, 
barred the d'^or, and again commenced firing upon the assailants. 
They had been so much surprised by this rushing out upon them, 
that they neither fired a shot, nor hurled a tomahawk, until he 
had returned to his castle, and barred the sally port. During this 
part of the affray, his son, becoming frightened, escaped from the 
house, and ran for the woods. He was pursued, overtaken, and 
made captive. The father, however, continued the fight — the In- 
dians firing through the casements at randomx, and he returning 
the shots as well as he could. At one time he thought of sallying 
forth again, and selling his life to the best advantage ; but by 
thus doing, he very rightly judged that he should at once involve 
the hfe of his son. The Indians, growing wearied of fighting at 
such disadvantage, at last attempted to make sure of their victim 
by applying the torch, and th^ house was speedily in flames. But 
it so happened that between the rear of the house and the forest, 
a field of hemp interposed— into which Mr, Shankland contrived 
to throw himself, unperceived by the Indians. Concealed from 
observation by the hemp, he succeeded in reaching the woods, 



348 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 

and making good his retreat to the Mohawk. Meantime the In- 
dians remained by the house mitil it was consumed, together, as 
they supposed, with the garrison. They then raised a shout of 
victory, and departed." 

DARING ADVENTURE OF A CAPTIVE. 

"Among the captives taken by the Indians on the Ohio in 
1780 was a man named Alexander McConnell, of the Kentucky 
settlers. He found his captors, five in number, to be pleasant 
tempered and social, and he succeeded in winning their confi- 
dence, by degrees, until they essentially relaxed the rigors of his 
confinement at night. His determination was of course to escape. 
At length his fastenings were so slight, that while they were 
asleep he succeeded in the entire extrication of his limbs. Still 
he dared not to fly, lest escape from so many pursuers should 
be impracticable, and his life, should he be re-taken, would surely 
be required in payment for the rash attempt. To strike them 
successively with one of their own tomahawks would be impossi- 
ble. His next plan was cautiously to remove three of their load- 
ed rifles to a place of concealment, which should, nevertheless, be 
convenient for his own purpose. Then placing the other two at 
rest upon a log, the muzzle of one aimed at the head of one In- 
dian, and the other at the heart of a second, with both hands he 
discharged the rifles together, by which process two of his ene- 
mies were killed outright. As the three others sprang up in 
nma'iement, McConnell ran to the rifles which he had concealed. 
The work was all but of a moment. Seizing another rifle, and 
biirging it in range of two of the three remaining savages, both 
fe'' with the discharge, one dead and the other wounded. The 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 349 

fifth took to his heels, with a yell of horror which made the forest 



A GALLANT DEFENCE. 

In a German settlement in the upj^er section of the Mohawk 
Valley resided one John Christian Shell, who had built a block 
house of his own, which was large, substantial, and well calcula- 
ted for defence. On one occasion when this district was threat- 
ened with an invasion by the Indians and Tories, the inhabitants 
had all taken refuge in Fort Dayton, except Shell, who resolved 
to remain and defend his own domicil. He and his sons were at 
work in a field, when a party of the enemy appeared, headed by 
one McDonald. Himself and four of his sons succeeded in reach- 
ing their castle, but the two younger, twins of but eight years old, 
fell prisoners into the hands of the assailants. Once within the 
house, and its ponderous door barricaded. Shell commenced the 
battle, his wife loading the pieces, while himself and sons dis- 
charged them. The besiegers, however, were determined and 
brave. An effort was made by them to set fire to the building, 
but the galling fire from the garrison drove them back. McDon- 
ald procured a crow-bar, and endeavored to break open the door, 
but a well-directed shot from Shell, struck him in the leg, and 
put him hors da combat. With the rapidity of lightning Shell 
sprang to the door, unbolted it, seized the wounded man, and 
di"agged him into the fort, ere his followers could arrive to rescue 
him. This was a most fortunate circumstance. The ammunition 
of the besieged was running low, and the consequences of such 
an event were seriously apprehended. But their prisoner was 
amply provided with cartridges, and he was compelled to deliver 
ihem up under the threat of instant death should he refuse* 



J550 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 

Thus the leader of tlie enemy supplied the means for the defeat 
of his own party. They had been severely galled, and now drew 
off for a respite. The battle had commenced at two o'clock, and 
it was now nearly dark. The garrison also needed breathing 
time, and feeling assured that the building would not be fired 
while the enemy's leader was in his possession, Shell ceased firing 
But the enemy soon rallied to the fight, and while Shell was en 
gaged in a hymn of thanksgiving, they marched up to the fort 
and thrust their rifles through the loop-holes, but Mrs. Shell seiz- 
ing an axe, by rapid and sure blows, completely ruined every 
musket thrust through the walls, by bending the barrels. A few 
more shots from Shell, and the assailants were driven back. Shell 
then ran up to the second story, just at twilight, and called out 
in a loud voice, that Capt. Small was approaching, and added — 
" Capt. Small, march your company around upon this side of the 
house. Capt. Getman, you had better wheel your men off to the 
left, and come up on that side." The directions of Shell were 
given with so much apparent earnestness, that the enemy really 
beheved troops were approaching, and they retreated, taking with 
them the two boy prisoners. They were restored after the war. 

HEROISM OF A WOMAN. 

During an attack by Tories and Indians on Fort Hunter, the 
females within the fortress displayed a heroism worthy of lasting 
praise and commendation. They were provided with arms, and 
were prepared to use them should occasion offer. The well of the 
fort was without the works, and a soldier was detached to bring 
water into the fort for the use of the garrison. The ofiBce was 
one of great danger, and the soldier showed signs of fear and 
trepidation in performing the duty re(juii-ed of him. This was 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 



35^ 



observed by an interesting young lady, and she snatched tlie 
bucket and ran forth herself for the Avater. She was within the 
enemy's fire, but without change of color, or any evidence of fear 
she drew and brought bucket after bucket to the thirsty soldiers, 
and escaped entirely without injury. 

STIRRING INCIDENTS. 

In the spring of 1779, two men named Cowley and Sawyer, 
were captured near Harpersfield, by a party of Indians, and carried 
off prisoners towards Canada. One of the captives was an Irish- 
man, the other Scotch. They were captives eleven days before a 
favorable opportunity was afforded them to escape. They had 
arrived -at a deserted hut near Tioga Point, when they were set 
to work to cut wood a few rods distant. Cowley took this op- 
portunity to take a newspaper from his pocket, and pretended to 
read its contents, while he recounted to him a plan for escape, and 
explained the part they were to take in the attempt. That night 
they lay down to rest in the hut, as usual, a prisoner between two 
Indians. When the captives were satisfied their foes were all 
sound in sleep, they cautiously arose and secured the savage's 
weapons, and shook the priming from them. They then armed 
themselves, one with a tomahawk, the other with an axe, and 
stationed themselves by two of the Indians who were considered 
the most formidable of the party. At the given signal the blows 
fell suddenly and surely upon their victims ; but unfortunately 
Sawyer, in attempting to force his weapon from the skull of the 
Indian, drew the handle from it, and thus the rest of the work 
remained to be performed by Cowley. The noise in dispatching 
the first two Indians, awoke their companions, one of whom in 
attempting to rise received a blow from Cowley's axe u})on his 



352 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 

shoulder wliich caused him to fall back stunned. The fourth also 
received a heavy blow from the axe, but he escaped to a neigh- 
boring swamp, and when found by his pursuers was already dead. 
Upon the return of Cowley and Sawyer to the hut, while they 
were eno-ajred in discussino- their next course, the Indian who had 
been stunned by the blow of the axe, suddenly sprang to his feet, 
rushed to the rifles at hand, snapped one at his foes, but finding 
the priming gone, he dashed into the woods and disappeared. 

The next morning the two friends started on their return, but 
they soon discovered that they were pursued by a party of In- 
dians, who, no doubt, were hot for their blood. Their vigilance 
and skill were now roused to the utmost. During one night and 
two days they remained concealed beneath a shelving rock, and 
one time a dog belonging to the enemy, scented out their retreat, 
but to the astonishment and great joy of the fugitives, he content- 
ed himself ^\^th smelling around them, and left without barking 
or otherwise alarming the pursuers. Although surrounded by 
the enemy, and on one night seeing the fires lit by the savages, 
literally enclosing them in on all sides, they had the good fortune 
to elude the vigilance of their foes, and to arrive at a frontier set- 
tlement, safe, but exhausted from fatigue and hunger. 

A DARING FELLOW. 

Samuel Brady was a powerful, bold and vigorous backwooas- 
man, who from his many successful attacks on the Indians, was 
particularly obnoxious to them. He was also a very successful 
beaver hunter, and on one of his excursions to Beaver river. Mo- 
honing, in pursuit of these animals, it so happened that he was 
surprised in his camp and taken prisoner by a party of Indians. 
To have slain him at once Avould have been small satisfaction, he 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 3S3 

was, thevefore, taken alive to the encampn.ent of the savages, for 
the purpose of being buried alive in the presence of all the In- 
dians of the village, and by the exquisite sufferings of such a death, 
obtain that revenge they so dearly prized. 

" After the usual exultations and rejoicings at the capture of a 
noted enemy, and causing him to run the gauntlet, a fire was pre- 
pared, near which Brady was placed, after being stripped naked, 
and with his arms unbound. Previously to tying him on the 
stake a lar<.e circle was formed around him, consisting of Indian 
„,en women, and children, dancing and yelling, and uttermg all 
manner of threats and abuse that their small knowledge ot the 
Kn-rlish language could afford. The prisoner looked on these 
preparations of death, and on his savage foes, with a firm counte- 
nance and a steady eye, meeting all their threats with a truly 
,avaae fortitude. In the midst of their dancing and rejo.cmg, a 
squaw of one of their chief's came near him with a child m her 
arms Quick as thought, and with instinctive presence of mmd, 
he snatched it from her and threw it into the midst of the flames. 
Horror-struck at the sudden outrage, the Indians simultaneously 
rushed to rescue the infant from the fire. In the midst of th,s 
confusion, Bradv darted from the circle, overturning all that cam* 
in his way, and rushed into the adjacent thicket, with the Indians 
at his heels. He ascended the steep side of a hill, amidst a show- 
er of bullets, and dashing down the opposite dechvity, secreted 
himself in the deep ravine and laurel thicket that abounded fo. 
several miles beyond the hill. His knowledge of the country, and 
wonderful actirity, enabled him to elude his enemies, and reach 
the settlement on the south of the Ohio river, which he crossed 
by swimming. The hill near whose base, this adventure is said 
to have happened, still goes by his name." 



354 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 

On one occasion, wlien pursued by a large body of savages, be 
approacbed the Cuyahoga, at a place where the river cut a deep 
chasm through the rocks, leaving a steep declivity on each bank. 
As they drew near this spot, the Indians fancied his capture cer- 
tain, but they did not yet appreciate the powers and resources of 
their enemy. Knowing that life or death were in the effort, Brady, 
as he approached the chasm, prepared for a mighty effort, and 
with one bound cleared the wide space, to the utter and bewilder- 
ing astonishment of his pursuers, who stopped short in admiration 
at the daring and wonderful feat. It so happened that in landing 
on the opposite cliff, he dropped into a low place, and seizing the 
bushes, he helped himself to ascend to the top of the cliff. Before 
the Indians could recover their astonishment, he was half way up 
the opposite hill, but still within reach of their rifles. They had 
forbore to use the rifle before, in the hope of taking hi^ life, 
and glutting, by torture, their long-delayed revenge, but now see- 
ing he was likely to escape, they sent a volley of bullets after aim, 
one of which wounded him in the hip. The Indians havi g to 
make a circuit before they could cross the stream, Bradj now 
gained considerably on them. But his limb began to grow stiff 
from his wound, which retarded his progress, and his pursue s in 
turn advanced rapidly upon him. He, therefore, made for a ) ond, 
swam under water some distance, and came up where the trunk 
of a large oak which had fallen into the water, concealed him from 
observation. The Indians traced him to the pond, and there his 
tracks of blood ceasing, and being unable to see any signs of him 
they came to the conclusion that in attempting to escape by 
swimming, he had drowned. They, therefore, departed, and then 
Brady, ftrtigued and lame, crawled out from the pond, and hurried 
cOwards his house. The chasm across wliicb lie performed his 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. OOO 

wonderful feat, to this day, is known by the name of " Brady's 
Leap." 

A FEARFUL ENCOUNTER. 

" In the summer of 1782, a party of seven Wyandots made an 
incursion into a settlement some distance below Fort Pitt, in Vir- 
ginia. Here finding an old man alone in a cabin, they killed him, 
packed what plunder they could find, and commenced their re- 
treat. Amongst their party was a celebrated Wyandot chief, who, 
in addition to his fame as a warrior and counsellor, was, as to his 
size and strength, a real giant. 

" The news of the visit of the Indians soon spread through the 
neighborhood, and a party of eight good riflemen was selected in 
a few hours for the purpose of pursuing the Indians. In this 
party were two brothers, of the names of Adam and Andrew Poe. 
They were both famous for courage, skill, and activity. This little 
party commenced the pursuit of the Indians with a determination, 
if possible, not to suffer them to escape, as they usually did on 
such occasions, by making a speedy flight to the Ohio river, cross- 
ing it, and then dividing into small parties, to meet at a distant 
point in a given time. The pursuit was continued the greater 
part of the night, after the Indians had done the mischief. In 
the morning the party found themselves on the trail of the In 
dians, which led to the river. When arrived within a little dis- 
tance of the river, Adam Poe, fearing an ambuscade, left the party, 
who followed directly on the trail, to creep along the brink of the 
river bank, under cover of the woods and bushes, to fall on the 
rear of the Indians, should he find them in ambuscade. He had 
Dot gone far before he saw the Indian rafts at the water's edge. 
Not seeing any Indians, he stepped softly down the bank, with 



356 EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 

his rifle cocked. When about half way down, he discovered the 
large Wyandot chief, and a small Indian, within a few steps of 
him. They were standing with their guns cocked, and looking 
in the direction of our party, who, by this time, had gone some 
distance lower down the bottom. Poe took aim at the large 
cliief, but his rifle missed fire. The Indians hearing the snap of 
the gun lock, instantly turned round and discovered Poe, who 
being too near tbem to retreat, dropped his gun, and sprang from 
the bank upon them, and seizing the large Indian by his clothes 
on his breast, and at the same time embracing the neck of the 
small one, threw them both down on the ground, himself being 
uppermost. The small Indian soon extricated himself, ran to the 
raft, got his tomahawk, and attempted to dispatch Poe, the large 
Indian holding him fast in his arms with all his might, the better 
to enable his fellow to eflfect his purpose. Poe, however, so w^ell 
watched the motions of his assailant, that, when in the act of aim- 
ing his blow at his head, by a vigorous and well directed kick 
with one of his feet, he staggered the savage, and knocked the 
tomahawk out of his hand. This failure, on the part of the smali 
Indian, was reproved by an exclamation of contempt from the 
large one. 

" In a moment the Indian caught up his tomahawk again, ap- 
proached m:re cautiously, brandishing his tomahawk, and making 
a number of feigned blows in derision and defiance. Poe, how- 
ever, still on his guard, averted the real blow from his head, by 
throwing up his arm, and receiving it on his wrist, in which he 
was severely wounded ; but not so as to entirely lose the power 
of his arm. In this perilous moment, Poe, by a violent effort, 
broke loose from tlie Indian, snatched up one of the Indian's guns, 
an.l shot the small Indian through the breast, as he ran up the 



EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 357 

third time to tomaliawk liim. The large Indian was now on his 
feet, and grasping Poe by a shoulder and leg, threw him down on 
the bank. Poe instantly disengaged himself, and got on his feet. 
The Indian then seized him again, and a new struggle ensuea. 
which, owing to the slippery state of the bank, ended in the fall 
of both combatants into the water. In this situation, it was the 
object of each to drown the other. Their efforts to effect their 
purpose, were continued for some time with alternate success, some- 
times one being under the water, and sometimes the other. Poe 
at length seized the tuft of hair on the scalp of the Indian, 
with which he held his head under water until he supposed him 
drowned. Relaxing his hold too soon, Poe instantly found his 
gigantic antagonist on his feet again, and ready for another com- 
bat. In this they were carried into the water beyond their depth. 
In this situation they were compelled to loose their hold on each 
other, and swim for mutual safety. Both sought the shore, to 
seize a gun, and end the contest with bullets. The Indian being 
the best swimmer, reached the land first. Poe seeing this, im- 
mediately turned back into the water, to escape, if possible, being 
shot, by diving. Fortunately the Indian caught up the rifle with 
which Poe had killed the other warrior. At this juncture, An 
drew Poe arrived upon the spot. Missing his brother from the 
party, and supposing from the report of the gun which he shot, 
that he was either killed, or engaged in a conflict with the Indians, 
Hastened in the direction whence the firing came. On seeing him, 
Adam called out to him to ' kill the big Indian on shore.' But 
Andrew's gun, like that of the Indian's, was empty. The contest 
was now between the white and the Indian, who should load and 
fire first. Very fortunately for Poe, the Indian in loading drew 

the ramrod from the thimbles of the stock of the gun with so 
23 



35S EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS. 

much violence, that it slipped out of his hand, and fell a little .!i.» 
tance from him. He quickly caught it up, and rammed down his 
bullet. This little delay gave Poe the advantage. He shot the 
Indian as he was raising his gun to take aim at him." 

During the contest between Poe and the Indian* the rest of 
*^^he party had overtaken tlie remaining five of them. A desperate 
conflict ensued, in which all of the Indians were killed, save one, 
who alone escaped to tell the melancholy tale of the fate of his 
fellows. There was great grief in the Wyandot nation. The big 
Indian, and four of his brothers, who were all killed m this con- 
fiict, were distinguished chiefs, and their faU caused universaJ 
mournmg. 



M1SCELLA]^TE0US ANECDOTES. 359 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 



In one of the numerous partisan encounters in tlae Soutli, Capt. 
Falls, a gallant and heroic officer, while leading a body of militia 
against a detachment of tories, was shot through the heart, and 
fell dead. He had been accompanied to the battle by his son, a 
youth of fourteen. " When the captain fell, this high-minded 
stripling, moved by an instinctive impulse of affection, sprang 
from his horse, to embrace the body, and protect it from insult. 
One of the enemy, beHeved to be the same that had shot the cap- 
tain, advancing with a view to plunder the corpse, the son, sud- 
,denly snatching the sword of the deceased, plunged it into the 
bosom of the marauder, and thus, at once, punished audacity, and 
nobly revenged his father's death." 

At the battle of Eutaw Springs, the following ludicrous inci- 
dent occurred. The Americans had pursued the English so closely 
thai they had taken refuge in a brick dwelling, while in their 
haste to close the door upon the rapidily advancing Americans, 
they shut out some of their own officers, who were immediately 
surrounded by their captors. The Americans were now exposed 
to a galling lire, fi-om those within the building, and they only 



360 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

found s; fety by interposing* the persons of their captives between 
themselves and the marksmen at the windows. Among the 
British officers taken, was one Major BaiTy, who without the 
slightest resistance, began only with a profound solemnity to enu- 
merate his many titles. " Sir, I am Henry Barry, Deputy Adju- 
tant General of the British army, Secretary to the commandant of 
Charleston, captain of the 5 2d regiment, &c." " Enough, enough," 
replied Col. Manning, in whose hands he had fallen. " You are 
just the man I was looking of. Fear nothing : you shall screen 
me from danger, and I shall take especial care of you," and with 
the pompous major held before his person, the American officer 
secured a safe retreat. 

When the British obtained possession of Charleston, General 
Gadsden was lieutenant-governor of South Carolina, and he was 
among those paroled by the English commanders. But irritated 
by the popular outbreaks»under Marion and Sumter, the English 
so far lost their sense of justice, as to arrest a large number of the 
citizens, among whom was Gadsden. He was arrested in his 
house, and conveyed on board a prison-ship, and thence icp 
St. Augustine. Here he was offered his parole on condition, that 
he should do nothing " prejudicial to the British interests." Gads- 
den received the proposition with scorn. " With men," said he, 
" who have once deceived me, I can enter into no new contract. 
I gave one parole, and although I strictly observed its conditions, 
I-have been seized, hurried from my family and home, and in the 
most unlawful manner. And now I am asked for more pledges 
by those who will be bound by none. No, sir ; I will give no 
new parole." " Think better of it," was the reply of the British 
officer. " Your rejection of this officer, consigns you to a dun-' 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 361 

geon," ''lam ready for it — prepare it," was the answer; *'I 
will give no parole, so helj^ me God '" He was tlirown into the 
dungeon of the castle of St. Augustine, where he lay for ten 
months, kept from all intelligence, without society, and even pre- 
vented from seeing his fellow captives. 

The sobriquet of " (^ame Cock," was applied to Sumter, the 
renowned partisan chief of South Carolina, which he received, it 
is said, under the following circumstance. While he was seeking 
"ecruits, he applied one day to several brothers, by name Gilles 
pie, who were remarkably fond of cock-fighting. They had in 
their possession a blue hen, of the fighting species, whose progeny 
were celebrated for their courage. Among them was one named 
Puck, which had never been defeated in a conflict. Sumter sud- 
denly appeared among the brothers, while they were engaged in 
their spoi-t, and with ill-disguised contempt, he pronounced their 
employment child-like and cruel, and abruptlv told them, that if 
tney would go with him, he would 2:ive them worthier game. " and 
teach them how to fight with men." Struck with his courageous 
and fiery bearing, they took him at bis word, and cried out, " I'uck 
for ever ! He is one of the ' Blue Hen's chickens !' " The sobri- 
quet stuck to him always and afterwards, and he was known 
among his enemies, as well as among his men, by the nom de 
guerre of the " Game Cock." 

One morning, during tbe seige of Charleston, Gen. Moultrie 
was awakened by a more than ordinary furious cannonading from 
the enemy, and just as he leapt from his bed, a cannon ball came 
crashing through the house, traversing the entire length of the 



362 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

bed, tearing it to pieces, and scattering tlie fragments in every 
direction, after which mischief it continued on its career. 



In the celebrated battle of Fort Moultrie a most remarkable 
coolness was manifested by the Americans. Moultrie, as well 
as several of his officers, smoked their pipes during the action, 
and only removed them when they had occasion to issue orders. 
Moultrie, in his Memoirs, gives us the following little incident, 
which speaks well for the coolness of his men. " When the ac- 
tion begun (it being a warm day,) some of the men took off their 
coats and threw them upon the top of the merlons. I saw a shot 
take one of them and throw it into a small tree behind the plat- 
form. It was noticed by our men, and they cried out, ' Look at 
the coat !' " 

When General Greene was retreating from the Catawba, an 
incident occurred which admirably illusti-ates the saci-incing spirit 
of the American women. On the line of his retreat he stopped 
at a house for repose and refreshment. He had ridden all the 
day in a severe rain storm, and he was wet, fatigued, and his 
heart was sad and burdened with gloomy forebodings. His land- 
lady observed his despondency, and upon asking hira about his 
condition, he replied that he was " tired, hungry, and penniless." 
Refreshments were provided for him, and after he had partaken 
of them, the good woman drew him into a private apartment, and 
placing in his hands two bags of specie — all her wealth, made 
up of the little savings of years, she said, " Take these ; I can do 
without them, and they are necessary to you." 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 363 

In one district of the South during the war the young women 
at harvest time, formed themselves into a company of reapers, 
and went to all the farms of the neighborhood, and if the reply 
to the question-" Is the owner out with the fighting men ?" was 
in the affirmative, they would set to, cut and garner all the gram 
It was o-enerally no- small undertaking, and five or six weeks of 
unceasing toil were necessary to complete their rounds. Similai 
companies were formed in New York and Long Island. A whig 
paper of July 25th, 1776; says: "The most respectable ladiea 
set the example, and say they will take the farming business on 
themselves so long as the rights and liberties of their country 
require the presence of their sons, husbands, and lovers in the 
field." 

On one occasion a person by the name of Mills, belonging to 
SunUer's troops, was despatched to Charleston to draw money for 
the troops. He soon observed that he was dogged by an indi- 
vidual of a suspicious appearance, and just as he was preparing 
to leave the city, he managed to enter into a friendly conversation 
with the man, and invited him to his room. The stranger com- 
plied, but no sooner had he entered than Mills closed and locked 
the door, then produced a decanter of brandy, and told the man 
he must drink up the brandy on penalty of being shot. There 
was no alternative, and the feliow was obliged to comply. -When 
he became hopelessly drunk, Mills left him, mounted his herse, 
nd left the city. 

« Mary Knight was one of those devoted women who contri- 
buted to the relief of Washington's army at Valley Forge— cook- 
ng and carrying provisions to them alone, through the depth of 



364 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

winter, even passing tlirough the outposts of the British army in 
the disguise of a market-woman. And when Washington was 
compelled to retreat before a superior force, she concealed her 
brother, Gen. Worrell (when the British set a price on his head, 
in a cider hogshead in the cellar for three days, and fed hiin 
through the bung-hole ; the house being ransacked four difieren 
times by the troops in search of him, without success." 



In the battle of Monmouth a gunner was killed, and a call was 
made for another to supply his place, when the wife of the fallen 
soldier, who had followed him through the wars, advanced and 
took his station, expressing a wish to do her duty, and impelled 
by a desire to revenge his death. The gun was well managed, 
and Washington was so much pleased at the report of her con- 
duct, that after the battle he summoned her before him, and gave 
her a lieutenant's commission. She was afterwards called in the 
army, Captain Molly. 

The British troops in their expedition into Connecticut passed 
through the village of Danbury, when the following incident oc- 
curred. As the enemy were advancing along the old Reading 
road, one of the inhabitants of the town rode his horse up to the 
summit of an eminence, directly in their front. Waving his hat 
with his sword, and turning his ftice as though he was addressing 
ai. army behind him, he thundered out, " Halt the whole Uni- 
verse ! break off by kingdoms .^" The Britishers, astounded by 
such an incident, came to a halt. Their cannon were brough 
forward, and flanking parties sent out to make discoveries. Mr. 
Halcom-t, which was the name of this eccentric individual, finding 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 36o 

himself on the point of being surrounded, made a rapid retreat 
and escaped from his pursuers. 



At the battle of Bennington an old farmer had five sons in the 
field. When it was over a friend came to him, and said, " I have 
sad news for you." ' " What is it," replied the father ; " have my 
sons run away from the fight ?" " No," replied the friend, " but 
one is dead." " Bring him to me," replied the old man with an 
unchanged countenance. The lifeless form of his dead boy was 
laid before him. There was not a tear in the old man's eye, and 
not a groan escaped from his lips. He stooped to wipe the blood 
from the wounds, and to gaze into the pallid face before him. 
" It is the happiest day of my life," said he, " to know that my 
five sons have fought nobly for freedom, even though one has 
fallen on the altar of his country." A similar incident has im 
mortalized the Roman Cato, but how few are acquainted with this 
instance of sublime patriotism, manifested by an obscure country 
farmer I 

" Some time in the year 'Y6, the British sloop-of-war, Unicorn, 
put into Holme's Hole, on the island of Martha's Vineyard, and 
having landed a detachment of marines, pressed into service a 
number of pilots. Upon this island, a liberty-tree had been 
erected, around which the citizens were wont to assemble, and 
pledge their fortunes and their sacred honors in the cause of lib 
erty. Now his Majesty's ship was in want of a spar, and as the 
only stick of timber on the island that would answer for the pur- 
pose, was the liberty-tree, down it must come. The panic 
stricken citizens consented to sell it to them, and on the morrow 



366 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

It was to be delivered on board. But there was a numerous party 
who did not agree to this contract, and resolved to prevent its 
execution. Three young girls, named Parnel Manter, Horiah 
Allen, and Mary Milman, whose young eyes had not yet beheld 
the frosts of sixteen winters, met together on that evening around 
the sacred tree, and by means of augurs, pierced it with numeroi\5 
holes, which they filled with gunpowder ; they then cautiously 
applied the match, and their emblem of liberty was shattered in 
many pieces." A few years since, the only living member of the 
heroic trio, who ought to be immortalized in song, Mary Milman 
was in age and distress, and was obliged to apply to congress for 
relief. 

At the battle of Monmouth, among the Americans wounded, 
was Lieut. Tallman. He was shot through the throat, and 
crawled behind the barn to die. Two soldiers came to his relief, 
and raising him from the ground, were retreating with him across 
an orchard, when a musket ball passing through the hat of one of 
them, he hastily abandoned his charge and ran away. The other 
supported him to the dwelling of a Mr. Cook, in the vicinity, 
where also was carried another wounded officer, Mr. Nealey. 
Here they both received the kindest treatment and both officers 
recovered. But Captain Neally in receiving balm for the injury 
in his flesh, became wounded in a more tender point. There 
arose between him and a daughter of Mr. Cook, who had hovered 
over his couch in the shape of a " 'ministering angel," a romantic 
attachment, which finally resulted in marriage. 

On one occasion, whe-n Baron Steuben was reviewing a regi- 
ment, he heard the name of Benedict Arnold called in the must'^" 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES 367 

roll. He couimanded the person bearing the offensive name, to 
immediately advance from the line. The baron after surveying 
him for a few moments, said, " change your name, brother soldier ; 
you are too respectaole to bear the name of a traitor." " What 
name shall I take, general ?" inquired the young man. " Take 
any other ; mine is at your service." He accepted it, and imme- 
diately had his name entered as Frederick William Steuben. 

The ladies of the revolution in Middlesex county, Massachu 
setts, obtained considerable celebrity, by an adventure of a daring 
and interesting nature. Rumors having come, that a party of the 
British were advancing, burning and destroying as they progressed, 
several of the leading ladies in the county, met together and re- 
solved to organize an opposition to their approach. The male 
members of the community had most of them departed to join 
the continential army ; these ladies therefore clothed themselves 
in their husband's apparel, and armed with muskets, pitchforks, 
and such other weapons as they could find, including no doubt, 
the household instruments, which legend has always associated 
with the prow^ess of women, and proceeded to Jewett's bridge, 
over the Nashua, between Peperell and Groton. Here they took 
their stand, and declared that no foe, foreign or domestic, should 
pass that bridge. They selected Mrs. Wright of Peperell, as 
their commander. 

They were not long stationed here, before one Captain Whi- 
ting, a notorious tory, who was supposed to be engaged in con- 
veying treasonable intelligence to the enemy, was observed ad 
vancing on horseback towards the interdicted passage. His sur 
prise in finding himself confronted by such specimens of soldiery 
must no doubt, have been great, but the imperative commands of 



368 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

Sergeant Wright, left no question as to their determination of 
purpose. He was unhorsed without ceremony, searched, and the 
treasonable correspondence discovered concealed in his boots. He 
was then sent to the proper authorities, and the ladies returned to 
their voluntary duties. 

The Hon. James Schureraan, who after the war, served four 
years in congress, was then sent to the United States Senate, and 
still later became Mayor of New Brunswick, was a prominent and 
influential man in l^ew Jersey, during the revolution. On one 
occasion, the militia of New Brunswick were called out, to go 
against the enemy. Their captain made a speech, urged them to 
volunteer; but not one complied. Schureman, then in the ranks 
stepped out, and after volunteering himself, addressed them so 
eloquently, that a company was immediately formed, which went 
to Long Island, and was engaged in the battle there. In the 
course of the war, Schureman and George Thomson, were taken 
prisoners by a party of British horse. They were confined for a 
short time in the guard-house in New Brunswick. From this 
place, they were conveyed to New York, and confined in the 
sugar-house While here, they succeeded in enlisting the sympa 
thy of Philip kissick, a tory, who furnished them with money, 
with which they procured food. They bribed the guard, to give 
them the pri^dlege of the yard ; and one night having supplied 
them with some liquor, into which they had put a quantity of 
laudanum, they dug through the wall and escaped to the upper 
part of the city, near where the old prison stood. There they got 
on board a small fishing-boat, and with a single oar, paddled 
across the Hudson to Powles' Hook, and thence proceeded to 
Morristown, where they joined the American army. 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 



369 



« At the battle of Monmouth, the Marquis de Lafayette, having 
npproached, with a small escort, within reach of the enemy's 
guns, for the purpose of reconnoitering their position, his aid-de- 
camp and friend was struck by a ball, and fell at his side. The 
officers and soldiers fled precipitately from the spot ; but the gene- 
ral would not abandon his friend, while a chance remained of 
saving his life. He hastened to his side, and, leaning over him, 
addre^ssed him in tones of kindness and affection. But it was 
too late ; the work of death was already done. Turning away 
with deep emotion, he left the place with slow and mournful steps, 
and presently rejoined his escort, who awaited his coming at a 
safe distance from the fatal battery. It is said that Sir Henry 
Clinton was present in person at this scene; and recognising the 
young marquis, by the snow-white charger which he always rode, 
was so touched by his heroic magnanimity and manly grief, that 
he commanded the gunners to cease firing, and suffered him to 
retire unmolested." 

About the time of the invasion of General Burgoyne, when the 
people were flying in terror before his army, an attempt was made 
to assasinate General Schuyler, by introducing a savage into his 
house for that pui-pose. " It was at the hour of bed time, in the 
evening, and while the general was preparing to retire for the 
night, that a female servant, in coming in from the hall, saw a 
gleam of light reflected from the blade of a knife, in the hand of 
some person, whose dark outline she discovered behind the door.. 
The servant was a black slave, who had sufficient presence of 
mind, not to appear to have made the discovery. Passing directly 
through the door into the apartment, where the general was yet 



370 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

standi no- near tlie fire-place, with an air of unconcern, sLe pre- 
tended to arrange such articles as were disposed upon the mantel 
piece, while in an undertone she informed her master of her dis- 
covery, and said aloud, ' I will call the guard.' The general in- 
stantly seized his arms, while the faithful servant hurried out by 
another door into a long hall, upon the floor of which lay a loose 
board which creaked beneath the tread. By the noise she made 
in trampHng rapidly upon the board, the Indian, for such he 
proved — was led to suppose that the Philistines were upon him in 
numbers, sprang from his concealment, and fled. He was pur- 
sued, however, by the guard, and a few friendly Indians attached 
to the person of the general, overtaken, and made prisoner." 

On one occasion during the war of the Revolution, a strangei 
appHed to the residence of Governor Clinton, for hospitality, and 
was received, and while refreshments were preparing for him, the 
Governor entered into conversation with him, in the course of 
which, in reply to some questions proposed by the host, he mani- 
fested so much uneasiness, that the suspicions of the family were 
aroused. These suspicions became confirmed in their minds by 
observing him take something very cautiously from his pocket and 
swallow it. Mrs. Clinton immediately conceived of a plan to 
make him disgorge his secret. She proceeded to the kitchen, 
and put a dose of tartar emetic in the cup of coflee preparing foi 
him. The man partook of the beverage, and ere long he began 
to show signs of indisposition ; he soon grew violently sick, and 
the result was, a small silver ball was discharged from his stomach 
The ball was unscrewed, and found to contain an important com- 
munication from Sir Henry Clinton to Gen. Burgoyne. The nnm 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 371 

was arrested as a spy, and " out of liis own moutli", as it was 
wittily said, he was convicted. He suffered death. 



Captain Richardson, of South Carolina, was so vindictively 
pursued and hunted by the British, that he was obliged to keep 
himself concealed in San tee Swamp. Large rewards were oftered 
for his apprehension, and straggling parties were out continually 
in search of him. Notwithstanding all these dangers, he, on one 
occasion, ventured out of his retreat, in order to pay a visit to his 
family. Scarcely had he been admitted into his residence, when 
a party of the enemy were discovered approaching the spot. The 
moment was one of peril. But the presence of mind of Mrs. Rich- 
ardson saved him. She hastened to the door, and so managed 
to detain them, and engage their attention, that he was enabled 
to rush out of the back door, and reach his place of retreat, before 
they were admitted. 

" In the battle of Long Island, part of the British army marched 
down a road, leading from Brooklyn to Gowanus, pursuing the 
Americans. Several of the American riflemen, in order to be more 
secure, and at the same time more effectually to succeed in their 
designs, had posted themselves in the high trees near the road. 
One of them, whose name is not now known, shot the English 
Major, Grant ; in this he passed undiscovered. Again he loaded 
his deadly rifle, and fired ; another English officer fell. He was 
then discovered, and a platoon ordered to advance and fire into 
the tree ; which order was immediately carried into execution, 
and the rifleman fell to the ground, dead. After the battle was 
over, the two British officers were buried in a field near the phice, 



372 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

and their gi-aves fenced in with some posts and rails, where their 
remains still rest. But, for ' an example to the rebels/ they re- 
fused to the American rifleman the rites of sepulture, and the body 
lay exposed on the ground, until the flesh was rotten, and torn 
off" the bones by the fowls of the air. After a considerable length 
of time, in a heavy gale of wind, a large tree was uprooted ; in 
the cavity formed by which, some friends to the Americans, not- 
withstanding the prohibition of the English, deposited the sol- 
dier's skeleton, to mingle in peace with its kindred earth." 

At one time during the war. Colonel Washington compelled 
the surrender of Colonel Rugely, who was posted in a vpry strong 
redoubt, by a very ingenious method. He ordered a pine log to 
be cut and mounted on wheels, so as to resemble a cannon. With 
this he approached the British commander, and summoned him 
to surrender. Rugely perceiving, as he thought, artillery in the 
ranks of the enemy, and knowing it impossible to maintain his 
post against cannon, yielded to the summons. This circumstance 
afforded the Americans in South Carolina, a great deal of merri- 
ment, and the Englishmen suffered a corresponding degree of 
mortification. Cornwallis, speaking of it in a letter to Tarleton, 
very significantly remarks, " Hugely will not be made a Briga- 
dier:' 

" While Enoch Crosby, the Westchester spy, was on duty in 
the vicinity of Teller's Point, a British sloop-of-war came up the 
river, and anchored in the stream opposite the Point. With an 
unconquerable predilection for stratagem, our hero immediately 
concocted a plot for the sole purpose, as he says, of affording 'a 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 373 

little sport for the soldiers.' He accordingly proceeded down the 
Point, accompanied W six men, all of whom, save one, concealed 
themselves in tb' vvoous which J^rew a short distance from the 
shore, while the r/ther paraded the beacn so as lo display his nni 
form in so -ou'spicuous a manner, as to attract the notice of die 
officers on h,drd the vessel. The enemy swallowed the bait; ario 
a boat wa soon put off from the sloop-of-war, manned with eleven 
men, under the command of a lieutenant, to make a prisoner of 
this one Yankee, who precipitately fled into the woods as the 
barge approached the shore. The Englishmen followed, threa- 
tening to shoot the fugitive unless he stopped and surrendered. 
As soon as the pursuers had passed his little party, which were 
scattered in various directions, Crosby exclaimed, 

" ' Come on my boys ! now we have them !' 

" At this signal every man sprang up in his place, with a shout 
that made the welkin ring ; making at the same time such a 
rustling in the bushes, that the British, thinking themselves sur- 
rounded by a superior force, surrendered without resistance." 

" At one period m the revolution, Captain Roger Lyon, of North 
Castle, New York, had the honor of entertaining Gen. Washing 
ton and suite, on their route to White Plains. It is related by 
his grand-son, that during the entertainment, Captain Lyon being 
blind, handed the General a draught of good cheer, with these 
words, ' General ! the ladies say you are a very handsome man, 
but I "cannot see.' ' Tell the ladies,' rejoined Washington, ' I am 
afraid they are as blind as yourself.' " 



" Near Peekskill, on the road to Albany, is situated the ' Soi- 

24 



374 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

diers Spring,' which derived its name fi-om the following tragical 
incident. The British had landed on Verplanck's Point, and com 
menced so vigorously to cannonade the village of Peekskill, that 
the Americans had to retu'e hastily. Their enemies kept up a 
constant firing upon them as they sought various avenues of re- 
treat. A soldier stopped in his flight to refresh himself at the 
spring. While on his hands and knees, in the act of drinking, a 
ball which struck on the eminence above him, glanced obliquely, 
and descending the road with rapid bounds, finished its course by 
shattering the thigh of the soldier. Unable to move, he remained 
bleeding, and in agony, in the same position, until a wagon pass- 
ing by rescued him. The wound proved fatal. 



In one of the incursions of Indians upon our frontier settle- 
ments during the revolution, a very romantic incident occuri:ed. 
The celebrated chief Cornplanter made an attack upon the neigh- 
borhood of Fort Plain, burning and destroying, and among the 
prisoners he captured w^as one John Abeil, an old inhabitant. 
The party had not travelled but a few miles on their return when 
was discovered that this Abeil was almost as well acquainted with 
their language as the Indians themselves. This fact interested 
the chief, and on inquiring of his captive his name, Cornplanter 
knew at once that he stood before his own father. Abeil, twenty- 
five years before, had been a trader among the Indians of Wes- 
tern New York, and in one of his visits became enamored of a 
pretty squaw^, and the result of this affection was the graceful and 
celebrated warrior, whom the father now for the first time saw 
standing before him. The chief had learned from his mothei 
the history of his parentage, and his fatherV n^me. The meeting 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 375 

was certainly extraordinary to a degree. The young chief held 
out strong inducements to his white father to accompany him to 
his tribe, but paternal affection did not seem so strong in the 
heart of Abeil as his love for the comforts and luxuries of a 
white man's home, and so he chose rather to be restored to liberty 
and be returned to his friends. This was yielded, and he wa 
conducted in honor back to the settlements. Thus singularly me 
and parted the father and son. 

Gen. Sullivan in his expedition into the Genessee Valley, fired 
daily, while in the Indian country, a morning and evening gun, 
to notify the scouting parties which were constantly kept out of 
his position. In one instance a pleasing incident was the result 
of these signal guns. The firing of a gun alarmed a party of 
Indians who were near, and they scampered off in great haste, 
leaving a female, who was in their company, who finding herself 
thus abandoned, went towards the American camp. On being 
brought before Col. Butler she stated that she was a native of 
Danbury, Connecticut ; had been married several years before, 
and was living at Wyoming on the occasion of the massacre, 
when her husband was killed, an infant at her breast snatched 
from her arms and brained, and two other children carried away 
by one party of Indians as prisoners, while she herself was retain- 
ed as captive by another party. When she arrived with her cap- 
tors at their place of destination, she was compelled to live with 
in Indian as his wife, in which position she had remained until 
ihe signal gun in frightening away her companions gave her lib- 
erty. When she came into the American camp she had an infant 
child which was the fruit of her late unhappy connection. The 
child died not long after, and it was suspected that an American 



376 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 



soldier, from sympathy to the woman, had given it poison. On 
the return of the army, she went back to her friends in Connec- 
ticut. 

On one occasion when a party of Indians attacked the house 
of Lieut. Vrooman, on the New York frontier, he caught up his 
infant child and fled to a corn-field, followed by his wife leading 
her little daughter. He seated himself against the trunk of a 
tree, and his wife was concealed a few rods from him in the corn. 
All would probably have been well had not Mrs. Vrooman, not 
knowing where her husband was, called to him, which informed 
the enemy of their place of concealment. Her call was scarcely 
uttered ere a bullet pierced her side, and she fell writhing in 
death. An Indian now approached and scalped her little daugh 
ter, while another savage approached the husband and thrust a 
spear at him, which he parried, and the infant in his arms smiled. 
Another pass was parried and the infant again smiled. At the 
third blow of the spear, which Vrooman succeeded in warding off, 
the child, but five months old, laughed outright at the supposed 
sport, and this so awakened the sympathy of the savage that he 
forebore in his attack, and made Vrooman a prisoner. 

"At the commencement of the revolutionary struggle. General 
Heath's division of the American army was stationed at Morris- 
ania, on Harlem River, N. Y. From his Memoirs we gather the 
following particulars. A picket from our general's division, of 
four hundred and fifty men, constantly mounted, by relief, at Mor- 
risania, from which a chain of sentinels, within half gun shot of 
each other, were planted, from one side of the store to the other, 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 377 

aiid near the water passage, between Morrisania and Montressor'a 
island, wbich in some places is very narrow. The sentinels on 
the American side were ordered not to presume to fire at that of 
the British, unless the latter began ; but the British were so fo>nd 
of beginning, that there was frequently a firing between them. 
This having been the case one day, and a British officer walking 
along the bank, on the Montressor's side, an American sentinel, 
who had been exchanging some shots with a British sentinel, see- 
ing the ofiicer, and concluding him to be better game, gave him 
d shot, and wounded him. He was carried up to the house on 
the island. An officer with a flag soon came down to the creek 
and called for the American officer of the picket, and informed 
him that if the American sentinels fired any more, the command- 
ing officer of the islaiid would cannonade Col. Morris's house, in 
which the officers of the picket were quartered. The American 
officer was directed to inform the British officer that the American 
sentinels had always been instructed not to fire upon sentinels un- 
less they were first fired upon, and then to return the fire ; that 
such would be their conduct ; as to the cannonading of Col. Mor- 
ris's house, they might act their pleasure. The firing ceased for 
some time ; but a raw Scotch sentinel having been planted one 
day, he very soon after discharged his piece at an American sen- 
tinel nearest to him, which was immediately returned ; upon 
which a British officer came down, and called to the American 
officers, observing that he thought there was to be no firing be- 
tween the sentinels. He was answered, that their own began ; 
upon which he repHed, ' he shall answer for it then.' There was 
no firing between the sentinels at that place, any more, and they 
were so civil to each other on the posts, that one day, at a part of 
the creek where it was practicable, the British sentinel asked tlie 



378 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

American if he could give him a chew of tobacco: the latter 
having a thick, twisted roll, sent it across the creek to the British 
sentinel, who after taking off his bite, sent the remainder l)ack." 

In December, 1777, while Washington was at Valley Forge 
and the enemy was in Philadelphia, Major Talmadge was sta 
lioned between the two places with a detachment of cavalry, to 
make observations and to limit the range of British foragers. On 
one occasion, while performing this duty, he was informed that a 
country girl had gone into Philadelphia — perhaps by Washing- 
ton's instigations, ostensibly to sell eggs, but really and especi- 
ally to obtain information respecting the enemy ; and curiosity 
led him to move his detachment to Germantown. There the 
main body halted while he advanced with a small party towards 
the British lines. Dismounting at a tavern in plain sight of their 
outposts, he soon saw a young girl coming out of the city. He 
watched her till she came up to the tavern ; made himself known 
to her, and was about to receive some valuable intelligence, when 
he was informed the British light horse were advancing. Step- 
ping to the door he saw them in full pursuit of his patroles. He 
hastily mounted, but before he had started his charger, the girl 
was at his side begging for protection. Quick as thought, he or- 
dered her to mount behind him. She obeyed, and in that way 
rode to Germantown, a distance of three miles. During the whole 
ride, writes the Major in his Journal, where we find these details, 
" although there was considerable firing of pistols, and not a little 
wheeling and charging, she remained unmoved, and never once 
complained of fear." 

Of all the heroines whose names are imperishably connected 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 379 

with our history, that of Elizabeth Zane stands foremost. In IWY, 
Fort Henry in Ohio county, Virginia, was attacked by the Indi- 
ans. The defence was made with vigor, but suddenly the ammu- 
nition became exhausted, and surrender seemed the only alterna- 
tive. There was a keg of powder in a house about twelve rods 
distant, which to obtain would prolong the defence, and perhaps 
preserve the lives of the whole garrison. It was resolved that one 
person should venture out, and, if possible, secure and bear into 
the fort the valued prize. The Indians having retired a little dis- 
tance, a favorable opportunity was afforded, but it became difficult 
to decide who should undertake the service, as every soldier was 
emulous for the honor of performing the perilous, but honorable 
enterprise. Their contention, however, was cut short by Miss 
Zane, who claimed to be chosen for performing the duty, giving 
as reasons, that the life of a soldier was more valuable in the de- 
fence of the fort, than was her own, and that her sex might pre- 
serve her errand from suspicion, and secure the success of the plan. 
Her resolute manner and urgent arguments overcame the scruples 
of the officer, and she was permitted to make the attempt. The 
Indians observed her depart from the fort, but from some un- 
known cause, offered her no molestation. She reached the house, 
seized the powder, and hastened to return. But by this time the 
savages comprehended the object of her visit without the fort. 
They fired a volley after her, as she with speed ran rapidly along 
to the gate of the fort. Fortunately not a bullet injured her. 
They only gave activity to her movements, and reaching the fort, 
she was admitted, to the unbounded joy of the garrison. Animated 
by so noble an instance of heroism, the besieged fought with a 
bravery and vigor which the enemy could not overcome, and they 
raised the seio-e. 



380 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

During the revolutionary war, while Fort Motte, situated 
on Congaree river, in South Carolina, was in the hands of the 
British, in order to effect its surrender, it became necessary to 
burn a large mansion standing near the centre of the trench. The 
house was the property of Mrs. Motte. Lieut. Colonel Lee 
communicated to her the contemplated work of destruction with 
painful reluctance, but her smiles, half anticipating his proposal, 
showed, at once, that she was willing to sacrifice her property if 
she could thereby aid in the least degree towards the expulsion of 
the enemy and the salvation of the land. The reply she made to 
the proposal was that she was " gratified with the opportunity of 
o^ contributing to the good of her country, and should view the 
approaching scene with deli2:ht !" 

" Governor Griswold was once indebted to a happy thought 
of his wife for his escape from the British, to whom he was ex- 
tremely obnoxious. He was at home, but expected to set out im- 
mediately for Hartford, to meet the legislature, which had com- 
menced its session a day or two pre'' ious. The family residence 
was at Blackhill, opposite Saybrooli Point, and situated on the 
point of land formed by Connecticut river on the east, and Long 
Island Sound on the south. British ships were lying in the sound ; 
and as the governor was known to be at this time in his own man- 
sion, a boat was secretly sent ashore for the purpose of securing 
his person. Without previous warning, the family were alarmed 
by seeing a file of marines coming up from the beach to the house. 
There was no time for flight. Mrs. Griswold bethought herself 
of a large meat barrel, or tierce, which had been brought in a 
day or two before, and was not yet filled. Quick as thought, she 
decided that the governor's projDortions — which were by no means 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 3^1 

slight — must be compressed into this, the only available hiding- 
place. He was obliged to submit to be stowed in the cask and 
covered. The process occupied but a few moments, and the sol- 
diers presently entered. Mrs. Griswold was of course innocent of 
all knowledge of her husband's whereabouts, though she told 
them she well knew the legislature was in session, and that busi- 
ness required his presence at the capital. The house and cellar 
having been searched without success, the soldiers departed. By 
the time their boat reached the ship, the governor was galloping 
up the road on his way to Hartford.' 

" A British officer, distinguished by his inhumanity and con- 
stant oppression of the unfortunate, meeting Mrs. Charles Elliot in 
a garden, adorned with a great variety of flowers, asked the name 
of the Camomile, which appeared to flourish with peculiar luxu- 
riance. ' The Rebel Flower,' she replied. ' Why was that name 
given to it V inquired the oflScer. ' Because,' rejoined the lady, 
* it thrives most when most trampled upon.' " 

" Mrs. Daniel Hall having obtained permission to pay a \nsii 
to her mother on John's Island, was on the point of embarking, 
when an officer stepping forward in the most authoritative man- 
ner, demanded the key of her trunk. ' What do you expect to 
find there ?' asked the lady. ' I seek for treason,' was the reply. 
You may then save yourself the trouble of search,' said Mrs 
Hall. ' You may find plenty of it at my tongue's end.' " 

"Mrs. Thomas Heyward, in two instances, with the utmos* 
firmness, refused to illuminate for British victories. An otfice? 



3^ MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

forced his way into her presence, and sternly demanded of Mrs 
Heyward, ' How dare you disobey the order which has been is- 
sued ; why, madam, is not your house illuminated V — ' Is it pos- 
sible for me, sn-,' replied the lady, ^vith perfect calmness, ' to feel 
a spark of joy ? Can I celebrate the victory of your army, while 
my husband remains a prisoner at St. Augustine ?' — ' That,' re- 
joined the officer, ' is of but little consequence ; the last hopes of 
rebellion are crushed by the defeat of Green at Guildford. You 
shall illuminate.' — ' Not a single light,' replied the lady, ' shall be 
placed with my consent, on such an occasion, in any window of 
my house.' — • Then, madam, I will return with a party, and, be- 
fore midnight, level it with the ground.' — ' You have power to 
destroy, sir, and seem well disposed to use it ; but over my opin 
ions you possess no control : I disregard your menaces, and reso 
lutely declare — I will not illuminate !' " 

" A REMARKABLE sceue is related by Dr. Ramsay, to have oc- 
curred on the occasion of Fort Augusta, commanded by Colonel 
Browne, being taken, which well deserves to be recorded. Pass- 
ing through the settlement where the most wanton waste had re- 
cently been made by the British, both of lives and property, a 
Mrs. M'Koy having obtained permission to speak to Colon (jl 
Browne, addressed him in words to the following eftect : ' Colonel 
Browne — in the late day of your prosperity, I visited your camp, 
and on my knees supplicated for the life of my son ; but you were 
deaf to my entreaties. You hanged him, though a beardless 
youth, before my face ! These eyes have seen him scalped by the 
savages under your immediate command, and for no better reason 
than that his name was M'Koy. As you are a prisoner to the 
leaders of my country, for the present I lay aside all thoughts of 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 38'i 

revenge ; but when you resume your sword, I will go five hun- 
dred miles to demand satisfaction at the point of it, for the murder 
of mv son.' " 



Shortly after the commencement of the war, the family of Dr 
Channing, then residing in England, removed to France, and sail- 
ed in a stout and well-armed vessel for America. They had pro- 
ceeded but a little way when they were attacked by a privateer. 
A fierce engagement ensued, "during w^hich Mrs. Channing kept 
the deck, handing cartridges, aiding the wounded, and exhorting 
the crew to resist until death. Their fortitude, however, did not 
correspond with the ardor of her Welshes, and the colors w^ere struck. 
Seizing the pistols and side-arms of her husband, she threw them 
into the sea, declaring that she would rather die than see him 
surrender them to an enemy." 

" The haughty Tarleton, vaunting his feats of gallantry, to the 
great disparagement of the oflBcers of the continental cavalry, said 
to a lady at Wilmington — ' I have a very earnest desire to see 
your far-famed hero, Colonel Washington.' — ' Your wish, colonel, 
might have been fully gratified,' she promptly replied, 'had you 
ventured to look behind you, after the battle of the Cowpens.' 

" It was in that battle that Washington had wounded Tarleton, 
which gave rise to a still more pointed retort. Conversing with 
Mrs. Wiley Jones, Colonel Tarleton observed : ' You appear to 
think very highly of Colonel Washington ; and yet I have been 
told that he is so ignorant a fellow, that he can hardly write his 
•)wn name.' — ' It may be the case,' she readily replied, ' but no 



384 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

man better than youi'self, colonel, can testify, that he knows how 
to make his mark.' " 



" Pre-eminent in malignity stood the Engineer Moncrief. The 
instances of oppression issuing from his implacable resentment, 
would fill a volume. I shall confine myself to one anecdote. 

" Mrs. Pinkney, mother of C. C. Pinkney, solicited as a favor 
that he would not suffer certain oak trees of remarkable beauty 
on a farm which he occupied, to be destroyed, as they were highly 
valued by her son, having been planted by his father's hand. 
' And where is your son, madam V — ' At Haddrels, sir, a prisoner.' 
— ' And he wishes me, madam, to have these trees preserved ?' — 
' Yes, sir, if possible.' — ' Then tell him, madam, that they will 
make excellent firewood, and he may depend upon it they shall 
be burnt.' Colonel Moncrief was no jester. The promptitude of 
his actions left no room for suspense. An opportunity was ofier- 
ed to injure and to insult, and he embraced it. The trees were 
burnt*' 

" Margaret Whetten, the wnfe of Capt. William Whetten, 
of New York, was one of the true mothers of the Revolution. 
During a part of the war, she resided on Cliff" street, near the rear 
of St. G?orge's chapel. There, if we mistake not, she became a 
widow ; and though not left in affluent circumstances, she made 
her hoi»<^ an asylum, especially for the wounded and suffering 
whigs. For a long time she prepared food daily for the impri- 
soned soldiers, and often visited them and cheered their drooping 
hearts by her lively and hope-giving conversation. She was also 
ftccastomed ^o visit the hospitals ; and even the Provost was not 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 385 

shunned, though the marshal was surly and abusive. Nor di-d 
she forget the prison-ships ; their hapless inmates were often the 
recipients of favors which she caused to be sent. 

" At one time a party of soldiers was sent to her house in pur 
suit of a suspected enemy of the crown. Being notified of their 
approach, she hastily slipped a dressing gown and night-cap on 
him ; and placing him in a large easy chair, and handing him a 
bowl of gruel, she pointed the soldiers to the seeming invalid, 
whose fears doubtless contributed to his paleness. Thinking he 
must be too feeble, just then, to travel, they went away. The 
leader of this duped hand was reprimanded for leaving him tc 
his gruel, and ordered back : meanwhile the inv^alid had become 
rapidly convalescent, changed his suit, and gone out to try the 



" When Col. Washington of the dragoons was engaged with 

Tarleton's cavalry, at the battle of ■■ in South Carolina, his 

impetuosity separated him from his troops, and he was furiously 
beset by an officer and a dozen of British dragoons. In defend- 
ing himself, he broke his sword, and was in a most perilous situa- 
tion. While defending himself with his broken sword, the ene- 
my pressing upon him with the fullest confidence of destroying 
him. Sergeant Everhart, of Frederick Co., Maryland, gallantly 
rushed up to him and handed him his well-tried sword, with 
which Washington soon extricated himself, cutting down his an- 
tagonists, until he was joined by his troops. Col. Washington 
ever afterwards, attributed the preservation of his life to the timely 
relief aff'orded by Everhart, gratefully acknowledging it, and en- 
rolled him on the list of his dearest friends ; and he never passed 



386 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

through Frederickstown without spending a day or two with his 
faithful sero-eant." 



"At the commencement of the Revolution, Mrs. Wright, a 
native of Pennsylvania, a distinguished modeler of likenesses and 
figures of wax, was exhibiting specimens of her skill in London. 
The king of Great Britain, pleased with her talents, gave hei 
liberal encouragement, and, finding her a great politician, and an 
enthusiastic republican, would often enter into discussion relative 
to passing occurrences, and endeavored to refute her opinion 
with regard to the probable issue of the war. The frankness with 
which she delivered her sentiments, seemed rather to please than 
to oflend him ; which was a fortunate circumiitance, tor, when he 
asked an opinion, she gave it without constramt, or the least re- 
gard to consequences. I remember to have heard her say, that 
on one occasion, the monai-ch, irritated by some disaster to his 
troops, where he had prognosticated a triumph, exclaimed with 
wa'-mth : ' I wish, Mrs. Wright, you would tell me how it will be 
possible to check the silly infatuation of your countrymen, restore 
them to reason, and render them good and obedient subjects.' 
' I consider their submission to your majesty's government is now 
altogether out of the question,' replied Mrs. Wright : ' friends 
you may make them, but never subjects ; for America, before a 
king can reign there, must become a wilderness, without any 
other inhabitants than the beasts of the forest. The opponents 
of the decrees of your parliament, rather than submit, would 
perish to a man ; but if the restoration of peace be seriously the 
object of your wishes, I am confident that it needs but the stri 
king off of three heads to produce it.' — ' O, Lord North's and 
Lord George Germaine's, beyond all question ; and where is the 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 38? 

tlnrd head?' 0, sir, politeness forbids me to name Mm. You. 
majesty could never wish me to forget myself, and be guilty of 
an incivility.' 

" In her exhibition room, one group of figures particularly at- 
tracted attention ; and by all who knew her sentiments, was be- 
lieved to be a pointed hint at the results which might follow the 
wild ambition of the monarch. The busts of the king and queen 
of Great Britain, were placed on a table, apparently, intently 
gazing on a head, which a figure, an excellent representation of 
herself, was modeling in its lap. It was the head of the unfor 
tunate Charles the First." 

" On one occasion, two young subalterns, who had been 
wounded, were taken prisoners, and on parole, took up their resi- 
dence at a place called Dobb's Farm. One day, as they were sit- 
ting down to dinner, a swarthy man, of bold and full countenance, 
entered the room where they sat, and without announcing him- 
self, asked how they liked their situation, and how they were 
treated ? They answered in such a manner, as gave pleasure to 
their good host and hostess. The stranger expressed his satisfac- 
tion also ; and begging leave to dine with them, placed himself 
at table, without waiting for an answer. When dinner was over, 
a couple of yagers made their appearance, and desired to know 
the stranger's commands. " You will bring the wine hither," said 
he ; " get some refreshment yourselves, and saddle at five o'clock." 
The yagers withdrew, and their commander seeing the surprise 
of the officers, said, " Gentlemen, my name is Morgan, a major- 
general in the service of America." They interrupted him by 
apologies for the unceremonious reception he had met with • 
which he begged not to hear, saying, that he had come on pur 



388 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

pose to see tliem, and to render them any assistance they might 
require ; adding, that he was very glad to see them so well ac- 
commodated. Then filling a glass of wine, to which the officers 
had been sometime strangers, he gave, "A speedy peace," in which 
he was pledged most cordially. The bottle was quickly circulated, 
and the healths of the principal commanders in both armies drank 
in succession. A song was proposed ; and after one of the offi- 
cers had complied, the general won the hearts of his auditors, by 
singing, in allusion to his former profession, "When I was driving 
my wagon one day." 

It was now five o'clock ; the yagers presented themselves foi 
orders, and General Morgan took his leave in a most friendly 
manner, assuring them he would use the best efforts for their 
speedy exchange, but adding, very gallantly, " though I have no 
desire to meet such men in arms against me." He left two 
hampers of wine which had been brought for the prisoners by the 
yagers, and which proved of infinite service to them, in aiding 
the recovery of their health." 

The following anecdote, says a correspondent in the American 
" Village Record," comes from a source entitled to perfect credit. 
During the revolutionary war, two British soldiers, of the army 
of Lord Cornwallis, went into a house, and abused the inmates 
in a most cruel and shameful manner. A third soldier, m going 
into the house, met them coming out, and knew them. The peo- 
ple acquitted him of all blame, but he was imprisoned because he 
refused to disclose the names of the off"enders. Every art was 
tried, but in vain ; at length he was condemned by a court-mar- 
tial to die. When on the gallows, Lord Cornwallis, surprised at 
his pertinacity, rode near him. 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 38^1 

" Campbell," said lie, " what a fool are you to die thus. Dis- 
close the names of the guilty men, and you shall be immediately 
released ; otherwise you have not fifteen minutes to live." 

" You are in an enemy's country, my lord," replied Campbell, 
" you can better spare one man than two." 

Firmly adhering to his purpose, he died. 

Does history furnish a similar instance of such strange devo 
tion for a mistaken point of honor ? 

One day in the middle of winter, General Greene, when passing 
a sentinel who was barefooted, said, " I fear my good fellow, you 
suffer much from the severe cold." " Very much," was the reply, 
" but I do not complain. I know I should fare better, had our 
general the means of getting supplies. They say, however, that 
in a few days, we shall have a fight, and then I shall take care to 
secure a pair of shoes." 

"During the traitor Arnold's predatory operations in Virginia, 
in 1781, he took an American captain prisoner. After some gen- 
eral conversation, he asked the captain " what he thought the 
Americans would do with him if they caught him." The captain 
declined at first giving him n^ o^^wer ; but upon being repeatedly 
urged, he said, "Why, sir, -^i^t answer the question, you will 

excuse my telling you the truth ; if my countrymen should catch 
you, I believe they would first cut off" your lame leg, which was 
wounded in the cause of freedom and virtue at Quebec, and bury 
it with the honors of war, and afterwards hang the remainder of 

your body on a gibbet." 
25 



390 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

" At the disastrous battle of Camden, while acting as Aid-de- 
Camp to General Gates, General Thomas Pinckney, was despe- 
rately wounded and made a prisoner. His patience and fortitude 
remained unshaken. Conveyed into the town, it was night when 
he reached Mrs. Clay's house (then by the fiat of power, con- 
verted into a Hospital). The family had retired, and Major 
Pinckney was placed on a table, in the piazza, where he lay till 
morning, suffering under a compound fracture of both bones of 
his leg, as he would not permit the rest of an oppressed and pat- 
riotic female to be disturbed. This calm and happy temper of 
mind, contributed in no small degree to the preservation of his 
.ife, for an exfoliation of the broken bones following soon after his 
removal to quarters, and no surgical aid at hand, he was obliged 
to direct the dressing of his wound, and to point out to his anxious 
and intrepid wife, the splinters that occasioned the greatest agony, 
while, with tenderness she removed them. The trial was, indeed, 
a severe one, to a lady of uncommon sensibility ; but there is no 
exertion to which the female heart, under the influence of its af 
fections, is not equal. The duty performed, the fortitude of Mrs. 
Pinckney was no more ; her emotion, on seeing her husband's 
sufferings, so totally overpowered her, that she fainted and fell. 
The recollection of such tender and heroic conduct cannot be lost : 
it must ever command the admiration of the world, and to her 
sex, afford a fascinating example for imitation." 

" An American officer, during the war of independence, was 
ordered to a station of extreme peril, when several around him 
suggested various expedients, by which he might evade the dan 
gerous post assigned him. He made them the following heroic 
reply : " I thank you, my friends, for your solicitude — I know I 



]viiscp:llaneous anecdotes. 39j 

can easily save my life, but, who will save my honor, should 1 
adopt your advice ?" 

" Colonel Hendrick Frey, (a colonel of colonial troops under 
Sir William Johnson, in the French war), a wealthy royalist, who 
resided in Schoharie County, N. Y., and who feigned neutrality 
the day after the battle of Oriskany, was visited by a party of 
hostile Indians. As they assembled around the table to eat, a 
sister of Frey who was awaiting upon them, discovered upon the 
person of one, the shirt of Major John Frey, a brother on the pat- 
riotic side — one sleeve of which had been perforated by a bullei 
and left very bloody. Her worst fears were aroused, and nearly 
letting fall something she held, she ran to her brother Hendrick, 
placed her hands on his shoulders, and exclaimed in a tone of real 
sorrow: " Brother John is dead I" assigning as her reason for 
such belief, the sight of the bloody trophy before them. The 
colonel who could speak the Indian dialect well, desired his sis- 
ter not to show any emotion before the Indians ; and endeavored 
to quiet her fears, by remarking, that probably the shirt had be- 
longed to some one else. The agitated maiden could not be per- 
suaded into this belief, as the garment had been the workman- 
ship of her own hands ; and her mental agony seemed almost 
insufferable. 

" In a short time the Indians left the house, followed by Col. 
Frey, who overtaking them, inquired of the possessor where he 
got the shirt, which covered his brawny frame. He replied, that 
he had wounded an officer the day before, in the Oriskany con- 
test in an arm which he had exposed from behind a tree, had 
made him his prisoner, and after taking from him such portion of 
his clothing as he desired, had sold him to a British officer, who 



392 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

would possibly take liim to Canada. This statement tended 
somewhat to calm the apprehensions of the brother and sister. It 
was found to be true. Major Frey was taken to Canada, and 
after two years confinement, was restored to liberty." 

" The following anecdote, which is too well authenticated to be 
disputed, furnishes one instance, among thousands, of that heroic 
spirit and love of liberty, which characterized the American 
females during the struggle for independence. 

" A good lady, — we knew her when she had grown old, — in 
1775, lived on the sea-board, about a day's march from Boston, 
where the British army then was. By some unaccountable acci- 
dent, a rumor was spread, in town and country, in and about 
there, that the regulars were on a full march for that place, and 
would probably arrive in three hours. 

" This was after the battle of Lexington, and all, as might be 
well supposed, was in sad confusion : some were boiling with 
rage, and full of fight ; some, in fear and confusion, were hiding 
iheir treasures ; and others flying for life. In this wild moment, 
when most people, in some way or other, were frightened from 
their property, our heroine, who had two sons, one about nineteen 
years of age, the other about sixteen, was seen by our informant 
preparing them to discharge' their duty. The eldest she was able 
to equip in fine style : she took her husband's fowling-piece, 
' made for duck or plover,' (the good man being absent on a 
coasting voyage to Virginia,) and with, it the powder-horn and 
shot-bag. But the lad thinking the duck and goose shot, not 
quite the size to kill regulars, his mother took a chisel, cut up her 
pewter spoons, hammered them into slugs, and put them into his 
bag, and he set otf in i>-reat earnest, but thought he would call one 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 393 

moment and see the parson, who said, ' Well done, mv brave 
boy ! God preserve you !' and on he went in the way of his duty 
The youngest was importunate for his equipments, but his mothei 
could find nothing to arm him with, but an old rusty sword. The 
boy seemed rather unwilling to risk himself with this alone, but 
lingered in the street, in a state of hesitation, when his mother 
thus upbraided him : ' You John H*****, what will your father 
say, if he hears that a child of his is afraid to meet the British ? 
— ^go along : beg or borrow a gun, or you will find one, child : 
some coward, I dare say, will be running away : then take his 
gun, and march forward ; and if you come back, and I hear you 
have not behaved like a man, I shall carry the blush of shame on 
my face to the grave.' She then shut the door, wiped the tear 
from her eye, and waited the issue. The boy joined the march. 
Such a woman could not have cowards for her sons. Instances 
of refined and delicate pride and affection occurred, at that period, 
every day, in diff'erent places ; and, in fact, this disposition and 
feeling was then so common, that it now operates as one great 
cause of our not ha\ang more facts of this kind recorded. What 
few there are remembered, should not be lost. Nothing great or 
glorious was ever achieved, which women did not act in, advise, 



" At the massacre of Wyoming, a tory found a brother se- 
creted, and on recognizing him, said, " so it is you, is it ?" The un- 
armed man approached his brother, fell upon his knees and 
besought him to spare his life ; promising, if he w^ould, to live 
with him and become his servant. '' All this is mighty fine," re- 
p^'ed the human fiend, "but you are a d d rebel!" at the 



394 MISCELLANEOUS ANRroOTES. 

Khiiie niuinent lie raised bis gun, heedless of the fi-antic prayers of 
his brother, and discharged its contents into his victim's body " 

"During the siege of Yorktown, Baron Steuben, giving a 
breakfast to several of the field officers of the army, in the coui-sa 
of the entertainment, while festivity was at its height, and in an* 
ticipation of the honors which awaited them, mirth and good hu- 
mor abounded, a shell from the enemy fell into the centre of the 
circle formed by his guests. There was no time for retreat ; to 
fall prostrate on the earth afforded the only chance of escape ; 
every individual stretched himself at his length; the shell burst 
with tremendous explosion, covering the whole party with mud 
and dirt, which rather proved a source of merriment, than serious 
concern, since none of the party sustained any further incon- 
venience." 

" About the period of the final departure of the British from 
New York, an excellent repartee, made by Major Upham, aid-de- 
camp to Lord Dorchester, to Miss Susan Livingston, has been 
much celebrated. "In mercy. Major," said Miss Livingston, 
" use your influence with the commander-m-chief, to accelerate 
the evacuation of the city ; for among your incarcerated belles, 
your Mischianza Princesses, the scarlet fever must continue to 
rage till your departure." "I should studiously second your 
wishes," replied the Major, " were I not apprehensive, that freed 
from the prevailing malady, a worse would follow, and that they 
would be immediately tormented with the Blue Devils^ 

" The wife of Colonel William Fitzhugh, of Maryland, while he 
was absent at one time, during the Revolution, was surprised by 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 395 

the news that a party of British soldiers was approachin.o- her 
house. She instantly collected her slaves ; furnished them with 
such weapons of defence as were at hand ; took a quantity of 
cartridges in her apron, and, herself forming the van, urged her 
sable subalterns on to meet the foe. Not looking for resistance, 
the advancing party, on beholding the amazon with her sooty in- 
vincibles, hastily turned on their heels and fled." 

"On a subsequent occasion, a detachment of soldiers marched 
at midnight to Colonel Fitzhugh's house, which was half a mile 
from the shore, and near the mouth of the Patuxent river, and 
knocked at the door. The Colonel demanding who was there, 
and receiving for reply that the visitants were " friends to King 
George," told the unwelcome intruders that he was blind and un- 
able to wait upon them, but that his wife would admit them 
forthwith. Lighting a candle and merely putting on her slippers, 
she descended, awoke her sons, put pistols in their hands, and 
pointing to the back door, told them to flee. She then let the 
soldiers in at the front door. They inquired for Colonel Fitzhugh, 
and said he must come down stairs at once, and go as a prisoner 
to New York. She accordingly dressed her husband — forgetting 
meanwhile, to do as much for herself — and when he had de- 
scended, he assured the soldiers that his blindness, and the infirmi- 
ties of age unfitted him to take care of himself, and that it could 
hardly be desirable for them to take in charge so decrepit and 
inofi"ensi7e a person. They thought otherwise ; and his wife, 
seeins: he must go, took his arm and said she would go too. The 
officei told her she would be exposed and must suffer, but she 
persisted in accompanying him, saying that he could not take 
care of himself, nor, if he could, would she permit a separation." 

" It was a cold and rainy night, and with the mere [Drotection 



396 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

of a cloak, which the officer took down and threw over hei 
shoulders before leaving the house, she sallied forth with the 
party. While on the way to their boat, the report of a gun was 
heard, which the soldiers supposed was the signal of a rebel 
gathering. They hastened to the boat, where a pavole was writ- 
ten out with trembling hand, and placed in the old gentleman's 
possession. Without even a benediction, he was left on shore 
with his faithful and fearless companion, who thought but little 
of her wet feet, as she stood and saw the cowardly detachment of 
British soldiers push off, and row away with all their might for 
safety." 

" On the occasion of an anticipated attack on the Middle Fort, 
Schoharie Co., orders were given that the women and children 
should retire into a long cellar, within the fort. Upon hearing 
of this order, Mary Haggidorn, a lass of goodly proportions, 
stepped up to the commandant, and thus addressed him : " Cap- 
tain, I shall not go into that cellar ! should the enemy come, I 
will take a spear, which I can use as well as any man^ and help 
defend the fort." Captain Hager, gratified in finding a soldier 
where he least expected one, and in admiration of her dauntless 
spirit, replied, " Then take a spear, Mary, and be ready at the 
pickets to repel an attack." She armed herself with this weapon, 
took her post, and did not abandon it until the danger was past." 

"In the battle of Guilford, in the South, occurred one of those 
sanguinary personal conflicts, that frequently arose from the bitter 
hatred existing between the whigs and tories. The combatants 
were Colonel Stuart, of the enemy, and Captain John Smith, of 
the continental army. Both were men (distinguished by nerve 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 397 

and muscle. They had met before, and a personal provocation 
had resulted in the mutual declaration, that their next meeting 
should end in blood. The present contest was seized upon as a 
fitting occasion, and they singled out each other, with a fierce pas- 
sion for revenge, which made them totally regardless of the hor- 
rors of the contest. Their weapons were at once crossed, with a 
desperate fury, which promised but one result. A moment de- 
cided the conflict. The adroit pass of Stuart's small-sword, was 
admirably parried by the left hand of the American, while with 
his right, he drove the edge of the heavy sabre through the head 
of his enemy, cleaving him to the very spine. The next moment, 
he himself was brought to the ground, stunned, not slain, by the 
graze of a pistol-shot, sent by a devoted follower of the fallen 
Briton, who was stricken to the heart, almost in the same mo- 
ment, by the bayonet of an American, who was equally watchful 
of the safety of his superior." 

« An unfortunate whig, flying before a party of the enemy, 
mtent upon his destruction, rushed into the dwelling house of 
Mr. Trapier, and entering the apartment of Miss Newman, an in- 
mate of the family, exclaimed— ' Protect me. Madam, or I am 
.lost.' 'Quickly conceal yourself,' replied the lady, 'be silent, 
and rest assured, that I will do all that I can to save you.' She 
had scarcely time to compose herself, before admission was de- 
manded from without, and an officer presenting himself, insisted 
that the place of concealment to which the fugitive had retired, 
should be immediately pointed out. 'It is little probable,' said 
Miss Newman, 'that a soldier, to whom I am probably alto- 
gether unknown, would, even under the terrors of death, seek 
security by intruding himself into my chamber; but, as I am 



308 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

confident tnat no credit will be given to my assertions, and that 
the power of search rests with you, its indulgence must neces- 
sarily follow ; yet, I trust, from your character as a soldier, and 
appearance as a gentleman, with the delicacy due to a lady's 
feelings.' The composure so happily assumed, calmed the vio- 
lence of the party, and the officer, believing that it could alone 
be exhibited from an entire ignorance of the hiding place of the 
object of his pursuit, bowed and retired." 

" In one of the revolutionary battles, Colonel Jessup, suspecting 
that his troops^ had expended nearly all their cartridges, passed 
along the rear of the line, to make inquiry as to the fact. Sev- 
eral soldiers who lay mortally wounded, some of them actually in 
the agonies of death, hearing the inquiry, forgot for a moment, 
m their devotion to their country, both the pain they endured 
and the approach of death, and called out, each one for himself^ 
' Here are cartridges in my box, take and distribute them among 
my companions." 

" A soldier in the line exclaimed to his commander, ' My mus- 
ket is shot to pieces.' His comrade, who lay expiring with his 
wounds at the distance of a few feet, replied, in a voice scarcely 
audible, 'My musket is in excellent order — take and use her," 

" It is no extravagance to assert, that an army of sucb men, 
commanded by oflScers of corresponding mer^t, is literally invin- 
cible." 

An oflScer calling out to General Huger, " General, I plainly 
see one of the enemy's riflemen taking deliberate aim to destroy 
you." " That is no concern of mine," said the General. " If 
you think proper, order one of your men to take the fellow oft'." 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 399 

" Dodge, or change your position," rejoined the officer, " or you 
aie a dead man." " I will neither dodge nor quit my post," re- 
plied the General, " be the consequence what it may." 

" The Baron Steuben after the defeat of Gates in Carolina, 
was engaged in raising a regiment in Virginia ; men sufficient 
to form a regiment had with difficulty been collected ; the corps 
Avas paraded, and on the point of marching to Carolina. A good 
looking man on horseback, with his servant as it appeared, also 
well mounted, rode up, and introducing himself to the baron, 
informed him he had brought a "recruit. ' I thank yon, sir,' saia 
the baron, ' with all my heart, he has arrived in a happy moment. 
Where is he, colonel V for the man was a colonel in the militia. 
* Here, sir,' ordering his boy to dismount. The baron's counte- 
nance altered ; a sergeant was ordered to measure the lad, whose 
shoes whei' off, discovered something by which his height had 
been increased. The baron patted the child's head, with a hand 
trembling with rage, and asked him how old he was ? He was 
very young, quite a child ; ' Sir,' said the baron, turning to him 
who brought him, ' you think me a rascal !' ' Oh, no baron, I 
don't.' ' Then, sir, I think you are one, an infamous scoundrel, 
thus to attempt to cheat your country! Take off this fellow's 
spui-s, place him in the ranks, and tell General Greene from me, 
Colonel Gaskins, that I have sent him a man able to serve, in- 
stead of an infant, whom he would have basely made his substi 
tute. Go, my boy, carry the colonel's horses and spurs to his 
wife ; make my respects to her, and tell her that her husband 
has gone to fight, as an honest citizen should, for the liberty 
of his country. By platoons ! to the right wheel ! forward 
march !' " 



400 MISCELLANE0I.'5 ANECDOTES. 

" In the battle of Princeton, Capt. M'Pherson, of the lYth 
British regiment, a veiy worthy Scotchman, was desperately 
wounded in the lungs and left with the dead. Upon General 
Putnam's arrival there, he found him languishing in extreme dis- 
tress, without a surgeon, without a single accommodation, and 
without a friend to solace the sinking spirit in the gloomy hour 
of deatli. He visited and immediately caused every possible 
comfort to be administered to him. Capt. M'Pherson, who con- 
trary to all appearances recovered, after having demonstrated to 
Gen. Putnair* the dignified sense of obligations which a generous 
mind wishes not to conceal, one day in familiar convei-sation, de- 
manded — ' l*ray, sir, what countryman are you V 'An American,* 
answered the latter. ' Not a Yankee !' said the other. ' A full- 
blooded one,' replied the general. 'Indeed, I am sorry for 
that,' rejoined M'Pherson, ' I did not think there could be so 
much goodness and generosity in an American, or, indeed, in 
anybody but a Scotchman.' " 

In the terrible massacre of Wyoming the most unheard of 
barbarities were practiced, and, what history scarcely affords a 
parallel of, the acts that exceeded all others in fiendishness were 
those committed by men upon their own kindred. One man 
named Partial Terry had sent repeated messages to his father, 
saying that " he hoped one day to wash his hands in the old 
man's heart's blood," and his wishes were but too well answered, 
"or on tiiis occasion, after having murdered and scalped his own 
nother, brothers^ and sisters, he cat off his father'^ s head! 
Another man, named Thomas Hill, killed his mother, his 
father in-law, and his sisters. It is difficult for us to realise thai 
these atrocities could have been performed, and were they not 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 401 

accredited by unirapeachable testimony, would be considered as 
monstrous fictions. 

" General Nash, in the battle of Germantown, October 4th, 
1777, was severely wounded in the thigh, the bone of which was 
shattered by a grape-shot. While they were carrying him ofl 
the field, a friend coming up, began to condole with him on his 
situation, and asked him how he felt ; — ' It is unmanly,* said the 
dying hero, ' to complain ; but it is more than human nature can 
bear,'" 

"In the commencement of the American revolution, whei 
one of the British king's thundering proclamations made its ap- 
pearance, the subject was mentioned in a company in Philadel- 
phia ; a member of Congress who was present, turning to Miss 
Livingston, said, ' Well, Miss, are you greatly terrified at the 
roaring of the British lion P ' Not at all, sir, for I have learned 
from natural history, that that beast roars loudest when he is most 
frightened.^ " 

In August, 1775, Gen. Gage sent two armed schooners from 
Boston to Machias, with cash, to buy live stock, and gave or- 
ders to take the stock by force, if the inhabitants would not sell 
it. They did refuse, — the crews of the schooners then attempted 
to take ofi" the stock by force, upon which the inhabitants rose, 
made all the men prisoners, seized on the schooners and cash, 
and shared about 51. sterling a man. 

When Marion's brigade was once engaged in battle, captain 
Gee was supposed to be mortally wounded. A ball passed 



402 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

through the cock of his hat, very much tearing, not only the 
crown, but also his head. He lay, for many hours, insensible ; 
but, suddenly reviving, his first inquiry was after his hat : which 
being brought to him, a friend at the same time lamenting the 
mangled state of his head, he exclaimed : ' Oh, I care nothing 
about my head : time and the doctors will mend that ; but it 
grieves me to think that the rascals have ruined my new hat 
forever.' " 

An affair in which Major Postell was concerned, may serve to 
show the spirit of the times, and, especially, the indifl'erence for 
property Avhicli then prevailed. A captain of the royal army, 
with twenty-five grenadiers, having taken post in the house of 
Postell's fcither, the major placed his small army of twenty-one 
militia, so as to command its doors, and then called on them to 
surrender. This being refused, he set fire to an out-house • was 
proceeding to burn the dwelling in which they were posted ; and 
nothing but their immediate submission restrained him f*om 
sacrificing his father's valuable, establishment for the interesi- of 
his country. 

"It happened in 17*70, that the garden of a widow, which lay 
between the American and British camps in the neighborhood of 
New York, was frequently robbed at night. Her son, a mere 
boy, and small for his age, having obtained his mother's permis 
sion to find out and secure the thief, in case he should return, 
concealed himself with a gun among the weeds. A strapping 
hijrhlander, belonging to the British grenadiers came, and having 
filled a large bag, threw it over his shoulder ; the boy tlien left 
his covert, went softly behind him, cocked his Q-nn. and called 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. lOS 

out, to the fellow, ' You are my prisoner : if you attempt to put 
your bag down, I will shoot you dead ; go forward in that road.' 
The boy kept close behind him, threatened, and was constantly 
prepared to execute his threats. Thus the boy drove him into 
the American camp, when he was secured. When the grenadier 
was at liberty to throw down his bag, and saw who had made him 
prisoner, he was extremely mortified, and exclaimed, ' a British 
grenadier made prisoner by such a brat !' The American officers 
were highly entertained with the adventure, made a collection 
for the boy, and gave him several pounds. He returned, fully 
satisfied for the losses his mother sustained. The soldier had side 
arms, but they were of no use, as he could not get rid of his 
bag." 

"Lady Harriet Ackland accompanied her husband to Canada 
in the beginning of the year 1116. In the course of that cam- 
paign, she traversed a vast space of country, in different extremi- 
ties of the seasons, and with difficulties that an European travel- 
ler will not easily conceive, in order to attend her husband in a 
poor hut at the Chamblee, upon his sick-bed. In the opening 
of the campaign of 1111, she was restrained from offering her- 
self to a share of the hazard expected before Ticonderoga, by the 
positive injunction of her husband. The day after the conquest 
of that place he was badly wounded, and she crossed Lake 
Champlain to join him." 

" x\s soon as he recovered. Lady Harriet proceeded to follow 
his fortunes through the campaign. Major Ackland, her bus 
band, commanded the British grenadiers, who formed the most 
advanced post of the army, which required them to be so much 
on the alert, that frequently, no person slept out of their clotheis. 



404 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

In one of these situations a tent, in which the Major and Lady 
Harriet slept, suddenly took fire. An orderly sergeant of grena- 
diers, with great hazard of suffocation, dragged out the first per- 
son he caught hold of; it proved to be the major. Fortunately, 
his lady at the same moment escaped under the canvass of the 
back part of the tent." 

" This accident neither altered the resolution nor the cheerful- 
ness of Lady Harriet, w^ho was in a hut during the whole of the 
action which followed, and close to the field of battle. Li a sub 
sequent engagement, Major Ackland was desperately wounded 
and taken prisoner. Lady Harriet sustained the shock with 
great fortitude, and determined to pass to the enemy's camp, and 
request General Gates' permission to attend her husband." 

" Having obtained permission of General Burgoyne, Lady 
Harriet, accompanied by the chaplain of the regiment, one female 
servant, and the major's valet-de-chambre, rowed down the river 
to meet the enemy. The night was far advanced before the boat 
reached the enemy's outpots, and the sentinel would not let it 
pass, nor even come on shore. In vain was the flag of truce 
oftered, and the state of this extraordinary passenger strongly 
represented. The guard, apprehensive of treachery, and punc- 
tilious in obedience to his orders, threatened to fire into the boat 
if they offered to stir before daylight. Her anxiety and suff'erings 
were thus protracted through seven or eight dark and cold 
hours ; and her reflections on that first reception, could not give 
her very encouraging ideas of the treatment she was afterwards 
to expect. But in the morning, as soon as her case was made 
known to General Gates, he received her with all the humanity 
and respect due to her rank and exemplary conjugal virtue, and 
immediately restored her to her husband." 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 405 

" WHEii a British fleet menaced a part of the American coast 
during the revalution, a man promulgated that he had discover- 
ed a combustible matter which could be easily conveyed uninjured 
to the ships, and then taking fire, produce a dreadful conflagra- 
tion. With a knowledge of the inventions of Franklin and 
others, it was no wonder that this intimation, which was soon 
purposely conveyed to the English naval commander, should in- 
duce him to act with caution. 

At an appointed day, a number of barrels were set on float, 
which made their way towards the ships, while the artist was 
embarked with a complicated apparatus, in a little boat. Shortly 
after, one of the barrels exploding with considerable blaze and 
report, the fleet, whose cables were already slipped, departed with 
precipitate haste, leaving the inventor, whose dangerous scheme 
was now entirely exhausted, in full possession of the coast for 
many miles." 

" Gen. Putnam is known to have been decidedly opposed to 
duelling, on principle. It once happened that he grossly affronted 
a brother officer. The dispute arose at a wine table, and the ofl3- 
cer demanded instant reparation. Putnam, being a little eleva- 
ted, expressed his willingness to accommodate the gentleman with 
a fight ; and it was stipulated that the duel should take place on 
the following morning, and that they should fight without sec- 
onds. At the appointed time, the general went on to the ground, 
armed with sword and pistols. On entering the field, Putnam, 
who liad taken a stand at the opposite extrpnity, and at a dis- 
tance of about thirty rods, levelled his musket, and fired at him. 
The gentleman now ran towards his antagonist, who deliberately 

proceeded to reload his gun." 

26 



406 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

" ' What are you about to do V exclaimed he ; — ' is this the 
conduct of an American officer, and a man of honor ?' 

" ' What are you about to do V exclaimed the general, attend- 
ing only to the first question ; ' a pretty question to put to a man 
whom you intended to murder. I'm about to kill you ; and if 
you don't beat a retreat in less time than 'twould take old Heath 
to hang a tory, you are a gone dog ;' at the same time returning 
his ramrod to its place, and throwing the breech of his gun into 
the hollow of his shoulder. 

" This '^timation was too unequivocal to be misunderstood : 
and our valorous duellist turned and fled for dear life.'* 

When our gallant countryman. Major Pinckney, received the 
wound at Gates' defeat, which placed him in the hands of the 
enemy, the generous feelings of an old school-fellow, Captain 
Charles Barrington M'Kenzie, of the Ylst British regiment, under 
the blessing of Heaven, preserved his valuable life. Applying to 
Tarleton for his interposition in behalf of his suff'eriug friend, he 
immediately received an order to call from the field his surgeon, 
whose early attention, in all probability, prevented the catastrophe 
which befel General Porterfield and other officers, whose wounds 
not being dressed for thirty-six hours, from exhaustion and loss 
of blood, expired. The character of the wounded prisoner had 
excited a deep interest in his bosom. The ferocity of his temper 
was laid aside. He ordered, that every attention should be paid 
him that could mitigate the severity of his wound — supplied him 
amply with port wine, considered essential to prevent the spasms 
that threatened his life — tendered the restoration of the horses 
recently impressed from his family at Fort Motte — and urged 
with the generous spirit of a soldier, the free and unlimited use 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 40"- 

of Ills purse. I could pardon Lim a thousand errors for this ema- 
nation of generous sympathy. Such attentions were received 
with the gratitude they were well calculated to excite. The sm- 
cerest acknowledgments were expressed for all — though neither 
the horses nor purse were accepted. This gave an opportunity 
lo M'Kenzie to display a trait of chivalric gallantry that cannot 
be too much admired. " Give me his charger, then ;" he feeling- 
ly exclaimed, " it shall never be said, that the horse that carried 
Tom Pinckney, was ever employed against the friends and the 
>ause that were dear to him." 

"General Washington had two favorite horses ; one, a large 
elegant parade horse of a chestnut-color, high-spirited, and of a 
^'^nllant carriage ; this horse had belonged to the British army : 
kbe other was smaller, and his color sorrel. This he used always 
to ride in time of action ; so that whenever the general mounted 
him, the word ran through the ranks, 'We have business on 
ha^vi; 

•' At the battle of Germantown, General Wayne rode his ga. 
lant roan, and in charging the enemy, his horse received a wound 
in his head, and fell, as was supposed, dead. Two days after, the 
roan returned to the American camp, not materially injured, and 
was again fit for service." 

"At a review at Morristown, a Lieutenant Gibbons, a brave 

nd good officer, was arrested by Baron Steuben, and ordered in 

the rear, for a fault which it appeared another had committed. At 

a propej moment, the commander of the regiment came forward, 



408 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

and informed the baron of Mr. Gibbons' innocence and worth, 
and of bis acute feelings under this unmerited disgrace. ' Desire 
Lieutenant Gibbons, said the baron, 'to come in front of the 
troops.' ' Sir,' said he to him, ' the fault which was committed 
by throwing the line into confusion, might in the presence of an 
enemy, have been fatal ; and I arrested you. Your colonel has 
informed me, that you are in this instance blameless. I ask 
vour pardon ; return to your command, I would not do injustice 
to any one, much less to one whose character is so respectable.' 
All this was said with his hat off, and the rain pouring on his 
reverend head ! Was there an officer who saw this, unmoved 
witli feelings of respect and affection ? Not one, who had the 
feelings of a soldier." 

" When the news of a skirmish at Lexington reached Barn- 
stable, a company of militia immediately assembled and marched 
off" to Cambridge. In the front rank, there was a young man, 
the son of a respectable farmer, and his only child. In marching 
from the village as they passed his house, he came out to meet 
them. There was a momentary halt. The drum and fife paused 
for an instant. The father suppressing a strong and evident 
emotion, said, ' God be with you all, my friends ! and John, if 
you, my son, are called into battle, take care that you behave 
manfully, or else let me never see your face again.' A tear start- 
ed into every eye, and the march was resumed." 



It is certainly a very singular circumstance, that Andre should, 
in a very satirical poem, have foretold his own fate. It was called 
the " Cow Cliace^'' and was published by Rivington, at New York, 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 4(W 

,„ consequence of the failure of an expedition undertaken ty 
Wayne for the purpose of collecting catUe. Great Uberues are 
taken with the American officers eu>ployed on the occasion 

^'''' " Harry Le. and his Dragoons, and Proclor w,th his Cannon." 

But the point .f his irony seemed particularly aimed at Way,. 
whose entire baggage, he asserts, was taken, contamn,g 
« His Congress dollars and his prog, 
H"s military speeches : 
His cornstalk whiskey for his grog, ^^ 
Black r.tockings and blue breeches." 

And concludes by observing, that it is necessary to check tlx. 

current of satire, 

" Lest the same warrio-drover Wayne,^ 
Should calch-.and hang the Poet." 

He was actually taken by a party from the dimion of the a-m, 
immediately under the command of W.iynt. 

The house of Captain Charles Sims, who resided on Tyge, 
rrver. South Carolina, was often plundered by tories ; and on on. 
of these occasions, when bis wife was alone and all the robber, 
had departed but one, she ordered him away, and he disobeymg 
she broke his arm with a stick, and drove him from the house. 

While the husband of Mrs. Uissosway, of Staten Island, was in 
the hands of the British, her brother Nathaniel Randolph, a cap- 
tain in the American army, repeatedly and greatly annoyed the 
Unies- and they were anxious to be freed from his incurs.ons 
Accordino-ly, one of their colonels promised Mrs. Dissosway to 
procure her husband's release, if she would prevail upoii he. 



'110 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

brother to le.ive the army. She scornfully replied : "And if! 
could act so dastardly a part, think you that General Washington 
has but one Captain Randolph in his army ?" 

Rev. Thomas Allen was the first minister of Pittsfield. When 
tlie American Revolution commenced, he, like the great body of 
the clergy, ardently espoused the cause of the oppressed colonies, 
and bore his testimony against the oppression of the mother coun- 
try. When, in anticipation of the conflict which finally took 
])lace at Bennington, the neighboring country was roused to arms, 
he used his influence to increase the band of patriots, by exciting 
his townsmen to proceed to the battle ground. A company was 
raised in his parish and proceeded. Some causes, however, were 
found to retard their progress on the way. Hearing of the delay, 
he proceeded immediately to join them, and by his influence quick- 
ened their march, and soon presented them to Gen. Stark. Learn- 
ing f)om him that he meditated an attack on the enemy, he said 
he w'j-tild fight, but could not willingly bear arms against them 
until he had invited them to submit. He was insensible to fear, 
and accordingly proceeded so near as to make himself distinctly 
hep'jd in their camp, where, after taking i stand on a convenient 
em lence, he commenced his pious exhortations, urging them to 
lay jown their arms. He was answered by a volley of musketry, 
wh ch lodged their contents in the log on which he stood. Tui-ii- 
ing calmly to a friend, who had followed him under cover of tin 
breast-work which formed his footstool, he said — " Now give me 
a gun ;" and that is said to be the first gun which s]^nke on thnt 
memorable occasion. He continued to bear his part till the bat- 
tle was decided in favor of the American armies, and contributed 
honorably to that result. 



MI.sr^KT.LANEOUS ANFCDOTES. 411 

TuF. circumstRTices of the murfler of Miss Jane M'Crea havo 
teen variously given, but the following version is supposed to bo 
correct : " Miss M'Crea belonged to a family of royalists, and had 
engaged her hand in marriage to a young refugee, named David 
Jones, a subordinate officer in the British service, who was advan- 
cing with Burgoyne. Anxious to possess himself of his bride, he 
despatched a small party of Indians to bring her to the British 
camp. Her family and friends were strongly opposed to her 
going with such an escort ; but her affection overcame her pru- 
dence and she determined upon the hazardous adventure. She 
set forward with her dusky attendants on horseback. The family 
resided at the village of Fort Edward, whence they had not pro- 
ceeded half a mile before her <5onductors stopped to drink at a 
spring. Meantime, the impatient lover, who deserved not her 
embrace for confiding her protection to such hands, instead of 
going himself, had despatched a second party of Indians upon 
the same errand. The Indians met at the spring ; and before 
the march was resumed, they were attacked by a party of the 
Provincials. At the close of the skirmish, the body of Miss 
M'Crea was found among the slain, tomahawked, scalped, and 
tied to a pine-tree, yet standing by the side of the spring, as a 
monument of the bloody transaction. The ascertained cause of 
the murder was this : The promised reward for bringing her in 
safety to her betrothed was a barrel of rum. The chiefs of the 
two parties sent for her by Mr. Jones quarreled respecting the 
anticipated compensation. Each claimed it; and, in a moment 
of passion, to end the controversy, one of them struck her down 
with his hatchet." 



418 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 

An act similar to that recorded of the g'unner's wife at the 
battle of Monmouth, was performed hy Mrs. Corbcu, at the attack 
on Fort Washington. Her husband belonged to the artillery, 
and in the early part of the conflict was shot down. Standing 
by his side and seeing him fall, without pausing to heed hei 
private grief, or give way to the agony of her heart, she hastened 
to fill his place and perform his duties. Although severely wound- 
ed, she heroically maintained her post to the last. Her services 
were rewarded by the honorable notice of Congress. 

At the darkest period of the Revolution, New Jersey was, for a 
short time, full of British soldiers, and Lord Cornwallis was 
stationed at Bordentown. He visited Mi-s. Borden one day, at 
her elegant mansion, and made an effort to intimidate her. He 
told her that if she would persuade her husband and son, who 
were then in the American array, to join his forces, none of her 
property should be destroyed ; but if she refused to make such 
exertions, he w^ould burn her house, and lay waste her whole 
estate. Unintimidated and patriotic, she made the following 
bold reply, which caused the execution of the threat : " The 
sight of my house in flames would be a treat to me, for I hav« 
seen enough to know that you never injure what you have power 
to keep and enjoy. The application of a torch to my dwelling I 
should regard as the signal for your departure." And such it 
was. 

" An intrepid action of Sergeant Mitchell, merits particular 
notice. There were no ensigns attached to the command, and 
when it was ascertained that a contest must ensue with Tarleton, 
the adjutant selected Mitchell to bear the colors, as he had 



MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 413 

always been distinguished for cori-ectness of conduct, and was 
connected with a family of high respectability. In the progress 
of the battle, Tarleton led an attack on the centre of the line 
where Mitchell was posted with his standard. The intrepid 
sergeant was cut down, and the staff of his colors broken. 
Grasping the part to which the colors were attached, he retained 
it firmly in his hands, while dragged to a distance of fifteen 
yards. The British dragoons now gathered round him, and 
would immediately have mangled him to death, but Captain 
Einloch dismounted and protected him from their rage, declaring 
that so gallant a soldier, though an enemy, should not perish. 
Mitchell survived his wounds, though severe, removed, at the 
close of the war to Georgia, became, from his acknowledged 
merits, a brigadier-general, and was, but a few years back, a hale 
and heartv man." 



414 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 



INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 



" At one time during the war, a detachment of seventy men, 
while ascending the Ohio river, were surprised by a party of In- 
dians, and nearly exterminated. Among those who escaped both 
death and captivity, were Captain Robert Benham and another 
man, whose cases, together, form a novel and romantic adventure. 
Benham was shot through both hips, and the bones being shat- 
tered, he instantly fell. Still, aided by the darkness, he succeed- 
ed in crawling among the thick branches of a fallen tree, where 
he lay without molestation through the night and during the 
following day, while the Indians, who had returned for that pur- 
pose, were stripping the slain. He continued to lie close in the 
place of his retreat until the second day, when, becoming hungry, 
and observing a raccoon descending a tree, he managed to shoot 

t, hoping to be able to strike a fire and cook the animal. The 
crack of the rifle was followed by a human cry, which at first 

tartled the captain ; but the cry being repeated several times, 
the voice of a Kentuckian was at length recognised * the call was 
returned, and the parties were soon united. The man proved to 



INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 415 

De one of his comrades, who had lost the nse of both his arms in 
the battle. Never did mercy find more welcome company. One 
of the party could use his feet, and the other his hands, Ben- 
ham, by tearing up his own and his companion's shirts, dressed 
the wounds of both. He could load his rifle and fire with readi 
ness, and was thus enabled to kill such game as approached 
while his companion could roll the game along the ground with 
his feet, and in the same manner collect wood enough to cook 
their meals. When thirsty, Benham could place his hat in the 
teeth of his companion, who went to the Licking, and wading in 
until he could stoop down and till it, returned with a hatful of 
water. When the stock of squirrels and other game in theii 
immediate neighborhood was exhausted, the man of legs would 
roam away, and drive up a flock of wild turkeys, then abundant 
in those parts, until they came within range of Benham's rifle. 
Here they lived for six weeks, when they discovered a boat upon 
the Ohio, which took them oflf. Both recovered thoroughly from 
their wounds." 

General Benjamin Logan, a Virginian by birth, resided du- 
ring the war in a small settlement called Logan's Fort, in Ken- 
tucky. Here, on one occasion, he distinguished himself by an 
act of courage and generosity unexcelled in the history of roman- 
tic and chivalrous daring. 

" In the month of May, 1777, as the women of his family were 
engaged in milking the cows at the gate of the little fort, and 
some of the garrison attending them, a party of Lidians appeared 
and fired upon them. One man was shot dead, and two more 
wouvided, one of them mortally. The whole party, including one 
of the wounded men, instantly ran into the fort, and closed the 



416 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 

^aie. The enemy quickly showed themselves upon the edge of 
a canebreak, within close rifle-shot of the gate, and seemed nu- 
merous and determined. Having a moment's leisure to look 
around, Logan beheld a spectacle, which awakened his most 
lively interest and compassion. 

" A man named Harrison had been severely wounded, and still 
lay near the spot where he had fallen, within view both of the 
garrison and the Indians. The poor fellow was, at intervals, en- 
deavoring to crawl in the direction of the fort, and had succeeded 
in reaching a cluster of bushes, which, however, were too thin to 
shelter his person from the enemy. His ^vife and family were 
in the fort, and in deep distress at his situation. The Indians 
undoubtedly forbore to fire upon him, from the supposition that 
some of the garrison would attempt to save him, in w^hich case, 
they held themselves in readiness to fire upon them from the 
canebrake. The case was a trying one. It seemed impossible 
to save him without sacrificing the lives of several of the garri- 
son ; and their numbers were already far too few for an effectual 
defence, having originally amounted only to fifteen men, of 
whom three had already been put hors de combat. 

" Yet the spectacle was so moving, and the lamentations of 
the wounded man's family so distressing, that it was difficult to 
resist making an effort to rescue him. Logan tried to persuade 
some of his men to accompany him in a sally, but so evident and 
appalling was the danger, that all at first refused ; one herculean 
fellow observing that he was a ' weakly man,' and another de. 
daring that he was sorry for Harrison, but that ' the skin was 
closer than the shirt.' At length, John Martin collected his 
courage, and declared his willingness to accompany Logan, saying, 
that ' he could only die once, and that he was as ready now as 



INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 4 '7 

he ever could Le,' The two men opened tlie gate, and started 
upon their expedition, Logan leading the way. 

" Tliey had not advanced five steps, when Harrison perceiving 
them, made a vigorous effort to rise, upon which Martin, suppo- 
sing him able to help himself, immediately sprang back wiihin 
the gate. 

" Harrison's strength almost instantly failed, and he fell at full 
length upon the grass. Logan paused a moment after the de- 
sertion of Martin, then suddenly sprang forward to the spot where 
Harrison lay, rushing through a tremendous shower of rifle-balls 
which was poured upon him from every quarter around the fort, 
capable of covering an Lidian. Seizing the wounded man in his 
arms, he ran with him to the fort, through another heavy fire, 
and entered it unhurt, although the gate and picketing near him 
were riddled with balls, and his hat and clothes pierced in several 
places." 

" In the year 1782, the war-chief of the Wyandot tribe of In- 
dians of lower Sandusky sent a young white man, whom he had 
taken prisoner, as a present to another chief, who was called the 
Half-king of Upper Sandusky, for the purpose of being adopted 
into his family, in the place of one of his sons, who had been 
killed the preceding year. The prisoner arrived, and was pre- 
sented to the Half-king's wife, but she refused to receive him ; 
which, according to the Indian rule, was in fact a sentence of 
death. The young man was therefore taken away, for the pur- 
pose of being tortured and burnt on the pile. While the dread- 
'*ul preparations were making, and the unhappy victim was al- 
ready tied to the stake, two English traders, Messrs. Arundel and 
Robbins, moved by feelings of pitv and humanity, resolved to 



418 IXCTDENTS ON THE BORDER. 

unite tlieir exertions to endeav^or to save tlie prisoner's life, by 
offering a ransom to the war-chief; which, however, he refused, 
saying it was an established rule among them to sacrifice a pris- 
oner when refused adoption, and besides, the numerous war cap- 
tains were on the spot to see the sentence carried into execution 
The two Qfenerous Eno-Hshmen were however not discourao^ed 
and deteiTnined to try another effort. They appealed to the well 
known high-minded pride of an Indian. — ' But,' said they 
' among all these chiefs whom you have mentioned, there is none 
who equals you in greatness ; you are considered not only as the 
greatest and bravest, but as the best man in the nation.' ' Do 
you really believe what you say ?' said the Indian, looking them 
full in the face. ' Indeed w^e do.' Then, without speaking 
another word, he blackened himself, and taking his knife, and 
tomahawk in his hand, made his way through the crowd to the 
unhappy victim, crying out with a loud voice, ' What have you 
to do with my piisoner?' and at once cutting the cords with 
which he w^as tied, took him to his house, which was near that 
of Mr. Arundel, whence he was conveyed in safety." 

" A soldier in Western N. Y., one day was out on a scouting 
party. Being a man of courage, enterprize, and sagacity, he was 
deteilnined, if possible, to obtain an accurate knowledge of the 
position of the enemy. For this purpose he ventured to separate 
from his companions. In the course of his reconnoitering alone, 
in the open field, he approached a wood, the under brush of 
which was very thick. His watchful eye discovered what he 
supposed to be some animal among the bushes. He immediately 
saw his mistake — it was an Indian crawling on his hands and 
feet, witli h:s riflie in his hand, and watching the soldier, evidently 



INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 411^ 

with the intention of advancing sufficiently near to make him a 
sure mark. For the soldier to retreat was now impossible ; he 
thought he could not escape, and he remembered too, that his 
father had told him never to return with a backside wound. He 
pretended not to see the Indian, and walked slowly towards him, 
with his gun cocked by his side, carefully observing all his 
movements. They approached nearer and nearer ; at length he 
saw the Indian bringing the gun to his shoulder— at that instant 
the soldier fell to the ground— the ball whistled its deadly music 
over his head. The soldier lay motionless. The Indian uttered 
the dreadful yell which signifies the death of an enemy, and 
drawing the bloody scalping-knife, (but forgetting to reload his 
piece), advanced with hasty strides, thirsting for murder, and 
anticipating the reward for the scalp. The soldier, motionless, 
permitted him to approach within ten paces, he then with the m- 
most composure sprung upon his feet. The savage stood aghast \ 
The soldier with deliberate aim, put two balls directly through 
his heart. A hoarse groan was the only sound that issued from 
the fallen savage. This son of the forest was at least six feet 
five inches in height." 

" When the war of extermination between the Indians and 
Kentuckians was at its height, those who inhabited the back parts 
of the state of Kentucky, were obliged to have their houses built 
rery strong, with loop-holes all around ; and doors always fas- 
tened, so as to repel any attack from the Indians. While the 
owner of one of these domestic fortresses was with his slaves, at 
work on the plantation, a negro who was posted near the house, 
saw approaching a party of Indians. He immediately ran to the 
house, and the foremost Indian after him. The Indian was the 



420 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 

fioete?.t, dnd as the door opened to admit the neg-ro, they both 
jumped in together. The other Indians being some distance be- 
hind, the door was instantly cktsed by the phmter's wife within, 
when the Indian and negro grappled. Long and hard was the 
struggle, for as in the case of Fitz James and Roderick Dhu, tlie 
one was the strongest and the other more expert, but strengtli 
this time was the victor, for tliey fell, the Indian below ; when 
the negro, placing his knees on his breast, and holding his hands, 
kept him in that position, until the woman, seizing a broad axe, 
and taking the Indian by his long hair, at one blow severed his 
head fi-oin his body. The negro, then seizing the guns, fired 
them at the other Indians, which as fast as discharged, were 
loaded again by the planter's wife, until the party from the field, 
hearing the firing, arrived, and the Indians took to flight." 

" Captain Henry Eckler, was out with a friend in the vicinity 
of Fort Herkimer, and unexpectedly fell in with Brant and a 
party of his warriors. The chief, who was well acquainted with 
Captain Eckler, addressed him by name, and asked him if he 

would surrender himself his prisoner. " Not by a d d sight, 

as long as I have legs to run!" and suiting the action to the 
word, he turned and fled at the top of his speed, and his com- 
panion with him. The surprise took place near a piece of woods, 
into which the fugitives ran, pursued by a band of yelling sav- 
ages. Eckler had proceeded but a little distance in the woods, 
when he found it would be impossible for him to run far with the 
speed requisite for his escape by flight; and passing over a knoll 
which hid him from the observation of his pursuers, he entered 
head first, a cavity at the root of a wind-fallen tree. He found 
its depth insufficient, however, to conceal his whole person, and 



INCIDENTS ON TUF-: IJOllDKR. 421 

like a young ostricli or parliidge, tliat, with its head concealed, 
fe<ils secure, if it remains still, he resolved to keep silence and 
trust to Providence for the issue. The party pursuing him, soon 
arrived upon the knoll, and lialted almost over hira, to catch 
another glimpse of his retiring form. But tliey looked in vain ; 
and while they stood there, and he heard their conversation, he 
expected every moment would be his last, as he was sure if his 
foes looked down, they could not fail to see at least, one half his 
person. He felt that if they did but listen, they could hear the 
heart in his breast beat like the thumping of a hammer. Suppo- 
sing Eckler had tied in an opposite direction, his pursuers ovei-- 
looked his place of concealment, and expressing to each other 
their surprise at his sudden exit, and declaring that a spirit had 
helped him escape, they withdrew, when he backed out of his 
hiding place, and regained his home in safety." 

" In the massacre of Cherry Valley, a Miss Jane Wells, a young 
lady of superior character and exalted piety, having escaped by 
the door, sought safety in the wood-pile ; but an Indian discov- 
ered her, and, after deliberately wi})ing his seal ping-knife on his 
legging, sheathed it, and seized her by the arm, at the same time, 
brandishing his tomahawk. The captive remonstrated with him 
in tlie Indian language, with which she had some acquaintance ; 
and one of the tories among the invading party, named Peter 
Smith, who had once lived with the family of Mr. Wells as a 
servant, interposed and begged the savage to spare her life, pre- 
ending that she was his sister. But this availed only to procure 
short delay. The next moment the interesting young lady fell 

dead from the blow of a tomahawk. 

27 



422 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 

The house of the venerable pastor was entered by the eneinv. 
and his aged wife immediately put to death ; but one of the Mo- 
nawk chiefs, named Little Aaron, led him out of the house, and 
kept him under his protection. An Indian, running by, pulled 
off the old gentleman's hat; and the chief pursued him and 
brought it back. The old man was thus rescued from massacre 
but the shock he received was so great, that, although he was set 
U liberty soon after, he died a few months subsequently. The 
fort was not taken by the enemy : but, on the first alarm, a gun 
was fired from it, which gave intimation of the attack." 



HISTORY OF NANCY HART, 423 



HISTOHY OP NANCY HAUT/^' 



One among the most remarkable women that any country 
has ever produced, resided in Elbert. We give our readers 
various particulars concerning her, derived from conversations 
which we have had with persons who were acquainted with 
her, and from notes kindly furnished by the Rev. Mr. Snead, of 
Baldwin County, Georgia, a connection of the Hart family. 
We are also under obligations to the Hon. Thomas Hart Benton, 
to whom we addressed a letter asking for information in regard 
to the relationship existing between the family of the Harts and 
himself, who promptly favored us with all that we desired. 

Nancy Hart's maiden name was Morgan. She was married 
to Benjamin Hart, and soon afterwards came to Georgia. Her 
husband was brother of the celebrated Colonel Thomas Hart, 
of Kentucky, who married a Miss Grey, of Orange County, 
North Carolina. This gentleman was the father of the wife of 
the Hon. Henry Clay, and maternal uncle of the Hon. Thomas 
Hart Benton. The family of Mr. Snead removing to Georgia, 
in consequence of the relationship between them and the Harts, 
Aunt Nancy, as she was usually called, came to see them. Mr. 
Snead says he well remembers her appearance, and many anec 
dotes related of her. He describes her pretty much as she is 
made to appear in the Yorkville sketch below, but says she was 
positively not cross-eyed. He represents her as being about six 

• From Historical Collections of Georgia, by the Rev. George White. 



424 HISTORY OP NANCY HART. 

feet high, very muscular, and erect in her gait ; her hair light 
brown, slightly sprinkled with gray when he last saw her, being 
at that time about sixty years of age. From long indulgence in 
violent passion, her countenance was liable, from trivial causes, 
to sudden changes. In dwelling upon the hardships of the Re- 
volution, the perfidy of the Tories, and her frequent adventures 
with them, she never failed to become much excited. 

Among the anecdotes remembered by Mr. Snead is the fol- 
lowing : 

On one evening she was at home with her children, sitting 
round the log-fire, with a large pot of soap boiling over the fire. 
Nancy was busy stirring the soap, and entertaining her family 
with the latest news of the war. 

The houses in those days were all built of logs, as well as the 
chimneys. While they were thus employed, one of the family 
discovered some one from the outside peeping through the cre- 
vices of the chimney, and gave a silent intimation of it to 
Nancy. She rattled away with more and more spirit, now giv- 
ing exaggerated accounts of the discomfiture of the Tories, and 
again stirring the boiling soap, and watching the place indicated 
for a re -appearance of the spy. Suddenly, with the quickness 
of lightning, she dashed the ladle of boiling soap through the 
crevice full in the face of the eavesdropper, who, taken by sur- 
prise, and blinded by the hot soap, screamed and roared at a 
tremendous rate, whilst the indomitable Nancy went out, amused 
herself at his expense, and, with gibes and taunts, bound him 
fyst as her prisoner. 

Soon after the close of the Revolution, she removed with her 
family to Georgia, and settled at Brunswick, then a frontier 
place. She was the mother of six sons CMorgan, John, Ben, 



HISTORY OF NANCY HAKT. 4 

Thomas, Mark, Lemuel) and two daughters (Sally and Reziah). 
Her eldest daughter, Sallj, married a man by the name of Thomp- 
son, who partook largely of the qualities of Mrs. Hart. Sally and 
her husband followed Mrs. Hart to Georgia several years after- 
wards. Upon their journey, a most unfortunate affair occurred. 
In passing through Burke County, they camped for the night on 
the roadside. Next morning a white man, who was employed as 
a wagoner, on being ordered by Thompson, in a peremptory 
manner, to do some particular thing, returned rather an insolent 
answer, and refused. Thompson, enraged, seized a sword, and 
with a single blow severed his head from his body. He then, 
with apparent unconcern, mounted the team, and drove on him- 
self, until he came to the first house, where he stopped and told 
the inmates he had "just cut a fellow's head off at the camp, 
and they had best go down and bury him !" He then drove on, 
but was pursued and taken back to Waynesborough, and con- 
fined in jail. This brought the heroic Nancy to the up-country 
again. She went to Waynesborough several times, and in a few 
days after her appearance thereabouts, Thompson's prison was 
one morning found open, and he gone ! 

Mrs. Hart, speaking of the occurrence, said rather exultingly, 
"That's the way with them all. Drat'em, when they get into 
trouble, they always send for me !" 

Not long after their removal, Nancy lost her husband. But, 
after paying suitable respect to his memory, she consoled herself, 
like most other good wives who have the luck, by marrying a 
young man, with whom she lifted up her stakes, and, in the 
language of the annexed sketch, set out among the earliest 
pioneeers for the " wilds of the West." 

The following sketch of this extraordinary woman, which 



426 HISTORY OF NANCY HART. 

originally appeared in the Yorkville {S.C.) Pioneer, is believed to 
be the first account of her that ever found its way to the 
public : — 

Nancy Hart and her husband settled before the Revolution- 
ary War a few miles above the ford on Broad River, in Elbert 
County, Georgia. An apple orchard still remains to point out 
the spot. 

In altitude, Mrs. Hart was a Patagonian, and remarkably 
well-limbed and muscular. In a word, she was " lofty and 
sour." Marked by nature with prominent features, circum- 
stances and accident added, perhaps, not a little, to her peculiar- 
ities. She was horribly cross-eyed, as well as cross-grained; 
but, nevertheless, she was a sharp-shooter. Nothing was more 
common than to see her in full pursuit of the bounding stag. 
The huge antlers that hung round her cabin, or upheld her 
trusty gun, gave proof of her skill in gunnery ; and the white 
comb, drained of its honey and hung up for ornament, testified 
to her powers in bee-finding. 

Many can testify to her magical art in the mazes of cookery 
— being able to get up a pumpkin in as many forms as there are 
days in the week. She was extensively known and employed 
for her profound knowlege in the management ot all ailments. 

But she was most remarkable for her military feats. She 
professed high-toned ideas of liberty. Not even the marriage 
knot could restrain her on that subject. Like the ' Wife of 
Bath," she held over her tongue-scourged husband 

" The reins of absolute command, 
With all the government of house and land, 
And empire o'er his tongue and o'er his hand." 



HISTORY OF NANCY HART. 427 

The clouds of war gathered, and burst with a dreadful ex- 
plosion in this State. Nancy's spirit rose with the tempest. 
She declared and proved herself a friend to her country, ready 
" to do or die." 

All accused of Whiggism had to hide or swing. The lily- 
livered Mr. Hart was not the last to seek safety in the cane- 
brake with his neighbors. They kept up a prowling, skulking 
kind of life, occasionally sallying forth in a sort of predatory 
style. The Tories at length, however, gave Mrs. Hart a call, 
and in true soldier manner ordered a repast. Nancy soon had 
the necessary materials for a good feast spread before them. 
The smoking venison, the hasty hoe-cake, and the fresh honey- 
comb were sufficient to have provoked the appetite of a gorged 
epicure ! They simultaneously stacked their arms and seated 
themselves, when, quick as thought, the dauntless Nancy seized 
one of the guns, cocked it, and with a blazing oath declared she 
would blow out the brains of the first mortal that offered to 
rise, or taste a moutliful! They all knew her character too 
well to imagine she would say one thing and do another. 

" Go," said she to one of her sons, " and tell the Whigs that 
I have taken six base Tories." They sat still, each expecting to 
be offered up, with doggedly mean countenances, bearing the 
marks of disappointed revenge, shame, and unappeased hunger. 

Whether the incongruity betAveen Nancy's eyes caused each to 
imagine himself her immediate object, or whether her command- 
ing attitude, stern and ferocious fixture of countenance, over- 
awed them ; or the powerful idea of their unsoldierlike con- 
duct unnerved them ; or the certainty of death, it is not easy to 
determine. They were soon relieved, and dealt with according 
to the rules of the times. 



428 HISTORY OF NANCY HART. 

This heroine lived to see her country free. She, however, 
found game and bees decreasing, and the country becoming old 
so fast, that she sold out her possessions, in spite of the remon- 
strances of her husband, and was " among the first of the 
pioneers who paved the way to the wilds of the West." 

The following, from Mrs. EUet's " Women of the Revolu- 
tion," will be read with interest, although it does not coincide 
exactly with the Yorkville account : 

In this county is a stream, formerly known as " War- woman's 
Creek." Its name was derived from the character of an indi- 
vidual who lived near the entrance of the stream into the river. 
This person was Nancy Hart, a woman ignorant of letters and 
the civiHties of life, but a zealous lover of liberty and the " liberty 
boys," as she called the Whigs. She had a husband, whom she 
denominated " a poor stick," because he did not take a decided 
and active part with the defenders of his country, although she 
could not conscientiously charge him with the least partiality 
towards the Tories. This vulgar and illiterate, but hospitable 
and valorous female patriot, could boast no share of beauty — a 
fact she herself would have readily acknowledged, had she ever 
enjoyed an opportunity of looking in a mirror. She was cross- 
eyed, with a broad, angular mouth, ungainly in figure, rude in 
speech, and awkward in manners, but having a woman's heart 
for her friends, though that of a Catrine Montour for the ene- 
mies of her country. She was well known to the Tories, who 
stood in fear of her revenge for any grievance or aggressive act, 
though they let pass no opportunity of worrying and annoying 
her, when they could do so with impunity. 

On the occasion of an excursion from the British camp at 
Augusta, a party of Tories penetrated into the interior, nnd 



HISTORY OF NANCY HART. 429 

having savagely murdered Colonel Dooly in bed, in his own 
house, they proceeded up the country for the purpose of perpe- 
trating further atrocities. On their way, a detachment of five 
of the party diverged to the east, and crossed Broad River, to 
make discoveries about the neighborhood, and pay a visit to their 
old acquaintance, Nancy Hart. On reaching her cabin, they 
entered it unceremoniously, receiving from her no welcome but 
a scowl, and informed her they had come to know the truth of 
a story current respecting her, that she had secreted a noted 
rebel from a company of King's men who were pursuing him, 
and who, but for her aid, would have caught and hung him. 
Naricy undauntedly avowed her agency in the fugitive's escape. 
She told them she had at first heard the tramp of a horse rap- 
idly approaching, and had then seen a horseman coming towards 
her cabin. As he came nearer, she knew him to be a Whig, 
and flying from pursuit. She let down the bars a few steps 
from her cabin, and motioned him to enter, to pass through both 
doors, front and rear, of her single-roomed house, to take the 
swamp, and secure himself as well as he could. She then put 
up the bars, entered her cabin, closed the doors, and went about 
her business. Presently some Tories rode up to the bars, and 
called out boisterously to her. She mufiled her head and face, 
and opening the door, inquired why the}' disturbed a sick, lone 
tvoman. They said they had traced a man they wanted to catcli, 
near her house, and asked if any one on horseback had passed 
that way. She answered no, but said she saw somebody on a 
sorrel horse turn out of the path into the woods, some two or 
three hundred yards back. " That must be the fellow," said the 
Tories; and asking her direction as to the way he took, they 
turned about and went off, " well fooled !" said Nancy, " in an 



430 F'-STORY OF NANCY HART. 

opposite course to that of my Whig boy ; when, if they had not 
been so lofty-minded, but had looked on the ground inside the 
bars, they would have seen his horse's tracks up to that door, as 
plain as you can see the tracks on this here floor, and out of 
t'other door down the path to the swamp." 

Tliis bold story did not much please the Tory party, but they 
could not wreak their revenge upon the woman who thus un- 
scrupulously avowed her daring aid to a rebel, and the cheat she 
had put upon his pursuers, otherwise than by ordering her to 
aid and comfort them by giving them something to eat. She re- 
plied, " I never feed King's men, if I can help it. The villains 
have put it out of my power to feed even my own family and 
friends, by stealing and killing all my poultry and pigs, except 
that one old gobbler you see in the yard." 

" Well, and that you shall cook for us," said one, who ap- 
peared the head of the party ; and raising his musket, he shot 
down the turkey, which another of the men brought into the 
house, and handed to Mrs. Hart, to clean and cook without 
delay. She stormed and swore awhile — for Nancy occasionally 
swore — but seeming, at last, resolved to make a merit of neces- 
sity, began with alacrity the arrangements for cooking, assisted by 
her daughter, a little girl some ten or twelve years old, and 
sometimes by one of the soldiers, with whom she seemed in a 
tolerably good humor, exchanging rude jests with him. The 
Tories, pleased with her freedom, invited her to partake of the 
liquor they had brought with them, an invitation which was ac- 
cepted with witty thanks. 

The spring, of which every settlement has one near at hand, 
was just at the edge of the swamp, and a short distance within 
it was a high snag-topped stump, on which was placed a conch- 



UISiORY OF NANCY HAKT. 431 

shell. This rude trumpet was used by the family to give infor- 
mation, by means of a variation of notes, to Mr. Hart, or his 
neighbors, who might be at work in the field or clearing just be- 
yond the swamp, that the " Britishers" or Tories were about ; 
that the master was wanted at the cabin, or that he was to 
*' keep close," or " make tracks" for another swamp. Pending 
the operations of cooking, Mrs. Hart had sent her daughter, 
Sukey, to the spring for water, with directions to blow the conch 
in such a way as would inform him that there were Tories in 
the cabin, and that he should " keep close," with his three 
neighbors who were with him, till he heard the conch again. 

The party had become merry over their jug, and sat down to 
feast upon the slaughtered gobbler. They had cautiously stacked 
their arms where they were in view, and within reach ; and Mrs. 
Hart, assiduous in her attentions upon the table and to her 
guests, occasionally passed between them and their muskets. 
Water was called for, and as there was none in the cabin — Mrs. 
Hart having so contrived that — Sukey was again sent to the 
spring, instructed by her mother to blow the conch so as to call 
up Mr. Hart and his neighbors immediately. Meanwhile, Mrs. 
Hart had slipped out one of the pieces of pine which constitutes 
a " chinking" between the logs of a cabin, and had dexterously 
put out of the house, through that space, two cf the five guns. 
She was detected in the act of putting out the third. The party 
sprang to their feet. Quick as thought, Mrs. Hart brought the 
piece she held to her shoulder, and declared she would kill the 
first man who approached her. All were terror-struck, for 
Nancy's obliquity of sight caused each one to inaagine her aim 
was at him. At length one of them made a motion to advance 
upon her. True to her threat, she fired. He fell dead upon the 



432 HISTORY OF NANCY HAKT. 

floor ! Instantly seizing another musket, she brought it to the 
position in readiness to fire again. By this time Sukey liad re- 
turned from the spring, and taking up the remaining gun, 
carried it out of the house, saying to her mother, " Daddy and 
them will soon be here." This information increased the alarm 
of the Tories, who understood the necessity of recovering their 
arms immediately. But each hesitated, in the confident belief 
that Mrs. Hart had one eye, at least, upon him for a mark. 
They proposed a general rush. No time was to be lost by the 
bold woman ; she fired again, and brought down another Tory. 
Sukey had another musket in readiness, which her mother took, 
and, posting herself in the doorway, called upon the party to 

" surrender their d d Tory carcasses to a Whig woman." 

They agreed to surrender, and proposed to " shake hands upon 
the strength of it ;" but the conqueror kept them in their places 
for a few moments, till her husband and his neighbors came up 
to the door. They were about to shoot down the Tories, but 
Mrs. Hart stopped them, saying they had surrendered to her^ 
and, her spirit being up to boiling heat, she swore that " shooting 
was too good for them." This hint was enough. The dead 
man was dragged out of the house, the wounded Tory and the 
others were bound, taken out beyond the bars, and hung. The 
tree upon which they were hung was pointed out, in 1838, by 
one who lived in those bloody times, and who also showed the 
spot once occupied by Mrs. Hart's cabin, accompanying the de- 
signation with the emphatic remark, "Poor Nancy — she was a 
honey of a patriot, but the devil of a wife." 



APPENDIX, 



HISTORY OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY. 



In the year 1*765, Isaac Sears, afterward, better known by the 
nanie of King Sears, a man of great personal intrepidity, forward 
in dangerous enterprises, and ready at all times to carry out the 
boldest measures, became the originator and leader of a patriotic 
band, who associated themselves together under the name of the 
" Sons of Liberty." Their organization soon pervaded every 
part of the colonies, and was the germ of the Revolution. By 
their intrepidity the spirit of the masses was aroused, and by their 
persevering industry and zeal, the people were excited to oppose 
all eiforts to enslave them. These bold s])irits formed the nucleus 
of the futui-e armies of the Revolution ; and it is to the moral 
courage which they displayed, and the indomitable resolution 
with which they braved all danger, that the world is indebted for 
the illustrious example set by the infant colonies to Europe, and 
the foundation of a great and glorious republic. 

The intent of the first association of the " Sons of Liberty" 
was to put down the stamp-act ; and when this was etfected, the 
objects of the society appeared to be accomplished. But the acts 
of parliament, simultaneous with, and subsequent to the repeal, 
gave to the more sagacious a cause for alarm greater than the 
obnoxious bill which had been rescinded. The billeting act, or 
mutiny bill, by establishing a standing army in the colonies at 
their own charge, was intended to strengthen the arm of the roya.: 
authority, to overawe the assembly, and to coerce the people tc 
acquiesce in the impositions of the parliament. 



434 APPENDIX. 

History is full of the resistance to the enormous assumpiiona 
of the mother-country by New England, and at the south ; but 
httle is said of the attitude of New York in that dangerous crisis. 
And yet in that colony, where the power of the sovereign was 
almost omnipotent, notwithstanding the exertions of the most 
wealthy inhabitants whose large estates were held by grants from 
the crown, and whose subservience to the royal mandates influ- 
enced the assembly, and all those who subsisted by the royal 
bounty, there was found a chosen few who remained constant to 
the last ; and who, when all seemed lost, kept alive the spirit of 
resistance, until from a feeble and hopeless minority, they were 
enabled to triumph over the power of the colonial government 
and prostrate the royal authority for ever. 

The association of the " Sons of Liberty" was organized in 
1765, soon after the passage of the stamp-act, and extended 
throughout the colonies, from Massachusetts to South Carolina. 
It appears that New York was the central post from which com- 
munications were despatched to and from the east, and to the 
south, as far as Maryland ; which province was the channel of 
communication to and from its neighbors of Virginia and the 
Carolinas. 

As the post-offices were under the control of the government, 
and the riders not at all times reliable, the committee of New 
York (and probably the other provinces adopted the same course), 
upon extraordinary occasions, despatched intelligence by special 
messengers ; and if need were, a part of their members visited 
in person the neighboring associations to insure the perfect organ- 
ization of the patriotic league. 

The New York association had a correspondent in London, to 
whom an account was given of their proceedings, and from whom 
intelligence was from time to time transmitted of their proceed- 
ings and the supposed designs of the ministry, Avhich in its turn 
was disseminated among the people by the association at home. 
A record of the names of the most active of their leaders would be 
a desirable document, but as this would be difficult to be obtained 
without great labor, and, perhaps, by a single individual impos- 
sible, a list of the committees m the different provinces, so far aa 
they can be ascertained, from the remaining papers of the com- 
mittee of New York, might be the means of initiating inquiry in 
other quarters toward producing the desired result. 

Those from Maryland will appear from the following extract 
from the proceedings of the " Sons of Liberty," March 1, ITHG. 



APPENDIX. 43.1 

"The Sons of Liberty of Baltimore county, and Anne Arundel 
county, met at the court house of the city of Annapolis, the first 
day of March, 176 6. ^ ^ , 

" On motion of a Son of Liberty to appomt a moderator and 
secretary, the Rev. Andrew Londnim was chosen moderator, and 
William Paca, secretary. 

" Joseph Nicholson, of Kent county, presented an address trom 
that county, signed, William Ringgold, AVilliam Stephenson 
Thomas Rino-gold, jr., Joseph M'Hard, Gideon M'Cauley Daniel 
Fox, Beniamin Binning, William Bordley, Jarvis James William 
Stukelv, Joseph Nicholson, jr., James Porter, Thomas Kmgo-old, 
James^Anderson, Thomas Smyth, William Murray, Jc)seph iNich- 
olson, George Garnet, S. Boardley, jr., Peroy, Frisby, Henry Van- 
dike, and John Bolton." 

William Paca, Samuel Chase, and Thomas B. Hands, were the 
Anne Arundel county committee. i t t. 

John Hall, Robert' Alexander, Corbin Lee, James Heath, John 
Moale, and William Lux, were the Baltimore county committee 
Thomas Chase, D. Chamier, Robert Adair, Patrick Allison, and 
W Smith, were the Baltimore town committee. 

Pennsylvania.— Wm-AxxA Bradford and Isaac Howell, were the 
correspondents at Philadelphia. 

New Jersey.— D'MneX Hendrickson, minister, Peter Imlay, jr., 
Jos. Holmes, jr., Peter Covenhoven, jr., and Elisha Lawrence jr., 
were the committee of Upper Freehold— Richard Smith of Bur 
lington, and Henry Bickers of New 15runswick. 

Connecticut.— So. Burrows; Jonathan Sturgis, Fairheld ; John 
Durker, Norwicli ; Hugh Leollie, Windham. 

New Faryt.— Isaac Sears, John Lamb, William A\iley, Edward 
Laight,Thos. Robinson, Flores Bancker, Chas. NicoU, Joseph Alli- 
coke, and Gersham Mott. 

Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Mynhard Roseboom, Robert Henry, 
and Thomas Young, Albany. 

John S. Hobart, Gilbert Potter. Thos. Brush, Cornelius Conk- 
lin, and Nathaniel Williams, Huntington, Long Island. 

Georo-e Townsend, Barack Sneething, Benjamin Townsend, 
George Veeks, Michael Weeks, and Rowland Chambers, Oyster 
Bay, Lono; Island. i- i i + 

The first organization of the Sons of Liberty, was dissolyed at 
the repeal of the stamp-act; and while the hope was strong ta at 
similar associations would no longer be necessary, the coraimttee 
received a letter from their faithful correspondent in London, ot 
the following import : — 



436 APPENDIX. 

London, 28^/6 July, 17G6. 

Gentlemen : I flattered myself to have heard from you by the 
last ships, but am mformed your society is dissolved, which I am 
glad to hear, as the cause of your complaint is removed. But J 
think it necessary to assure you that the continual account we 
had of the Sons of Liberty, through all North America, had it.s 
proper weight and effect. 

As our gracious sovei'eign rules over none but free men, and ii 
which he glories, it therefore cannot offend him that his numer- 
ous and faithful subjects in America claim the appellation of 
Sons of Liberty. Permit me, therefore, to recommend ten or 
twenty of the principal of you, to form yourselves into a club, to 
meet once a week, under the name of Liberty Club ; and forever, 
on the 18th of March, or first day of May, give notice to the whole 
body to commemorate your deliverance, spending such day in 
festivity and joy. I beg pardon for taking the liberty to advise 
you ; but I am firmly of opinion it will have such effect as you 
wish. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most humble servant. 

Nicholas Ray. 

P. S. — The commercial acts and free ports which we lately sent 
to all the colonies, I believe will give you pleasure. 

To the Song of Liberty, New York. 

To this letter the committee returned the following reply : — 
New York, October 10th, 1766. 

Sir: Your esteemed favor of the 28th July last, we have duly 
received ; and observe with the greatest regret your disappoint- 
ment at not hearing from us, agreeably to your expectations, 
which, permit us to assure you, was not owing to any remissness 
on our part, or want of respect ; but to the dissolution of our soci- 
ety, which happened immediately upon the repeal of the stamp- 
act. 

Your proposal with regard to a number of us forming our- 
selves into a club, we have already had under consideration. But 
as it is imagined that some inconvenience would arise, should such 
a club be established just at this time, we must postpone the same 
till it may appear more eligible ; at the same time we take the 
liberty to assure you, and all our good friends on your side of the 
water, who so nobly exerted themselves in behalf of us, and the 
expiring liberties of their country, that we still do, and ever shall 



APPENDIX. 437 

retain the most grateful sense of the favors we have received ; 
and that we shall use onr utmost endeavors, consistent with loy- 
alty, to keep up that glorious spirit of liberty which was so rap- 
idly and so generally kindled throughout this extensive continent. 
In order to which, we shall not fail hereafter to celebrate the an- 
niversary of the repeal, with every demonstration of gratitude and 
joy, on the memorable eighteenth day of March. 

We have the honor to be, in behalf of the Sons of Liberty, sir 
your most obedient and obliged humble servants, 

Isaac Sears, Edward Laight, 

Flores Bancker, John Lamb, 
Chas. Nicoll, Joseph Allicoke. 

To Mr Nicholas Ray, merchant, London. 

It was not long before the necessity for reorganization became 
apparent, and most of the committee, who had acted with so much 
vigor and zeal, were found equally vigilant on every emergency. 
Of the persons before named of the New York association, Mr. 
AUicoke alone is known to the writer to have espoused the cause 
of the king. But with the exception of Messrs. Nicoll and 
Bancker, whose names do not appear on any of the subsequent 
committees ; the others were the most determined opposers of the 
crown and steadfast adherents to the revolutionary party. 
28 



438 APPENDIX. 

THE APPOINTMENT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON 

TO THE SUPREME COMMAND, JUNE 1 8tH, 1775. 

" The army was assembled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, undei 
General Ward, and Cong-ress was sitting at Philadelphia. Every 
day new applications in behalf of the army arrived. The country 
were urgent that Congress should legalize the raising of the army 
as they had what must be considered, and was in law considered, 
only a mob — a band of armed rebels. The country was placed 
in circumstances of peculiar difficulty and danger. The struggle 
had begun, and yet everything was without order. The great 
trial now seemed to be in this question, Who, shall be the com- 
mander-in-chief? It was exceedingly important, and was felt to 
be the hinge on which the contest might turn for or against us. 
The southern and the middle states, warm and rapid in their zeal, 
were for the most part jealous of New England, because they 
felt that the real physical force was there. What then was to be 
done ? All New England adored General Ward : he had been 
in the French war, and went out laden with laurels. He was a 
scholar and a statesman. Every qualification seemed to cluster 
in 'him ; and it was confidently believed that the army could not 
receive any appointment over him. What then was to be done ? 
Difficulties thickened at every step. The struggle was to be long 
and bloody. "Without union, all was lost. The country, and the 
whole country, must come in. One pulsation must beat through 
all hearts. The cause was one, and the army must be one. The 
members had talked, debated, considered, and guessed, and yet 
the decisive step had not been taken. At length Mr. Adams 
came to his conclusion. The means of resolving it were some- 
what singular, and nearly as follows : he was walking one morn- 
ing before Congress hall, apparently in deep thought, when his 
cousin, Samuel Adams, came up to him and said : — 

" ' What is the topic with you this morning V 

" ' Oh, the army, the army,' he replied. ' I'm determined to go 
into the hall this morning, and enter on a full detail of the state 
of the colonies, in order to show an absolute need of taking some 
decisive steps. My whole aim will be, to induce Congress to ap- 
point a dav for ado])ling the army as the legal army of these uni- 
ted colonies of North America, and then to hint at ray election 
of a commander-in-chief.' 



APPENDIX. 439 

"'Well,' said Samuel Adams, 'I like that, cousin John; but 
on whom have you fixed as that commander ?' 

'• ' I will tell you — George Washington, of Virginia, a member 
of this house.' 

" ' Oh,' replied Samuel Adams, quickly, ' that will never do — 
never.' 

" ' It must do — it shall do,' said John, ' and for these reasons 
the southern and middle states are both to enter heartily in th 
cause, and their arguments are potent : they say that New Eng- 
land holds the physical power in her hands, and they fear the 
result. A New England army, a New England commander, with 
New England perseverance, all united, appal them. For this 
cause they hang back. Now, the only course is to allay their 
fears, and give them nothing to complain of; and this can be 
done in no other way but by appointing a southern chief over 
this force, and then all rush to the standard. The policy will 
blend us in one mass, and that mass will be resistless.' 

" At this, Samuel Adams seemed to be greatly moved. They 
talked over the preliminary circumstances, and John asked his 
cousin to second the motion. Mr. Adams went in, took the tloor, 
and put forth all his strength in the delineations he had prepared, 
all aiming at the adoption of the army. He was ready to own 
the army, appoint a commander, vote supplies, and proceed to 
business. After his speech had been finished, some objected, and 
some feared. His warmth increased with the occasion, and to all 
these doubts and hesitations he replied thus : — 

" ' Gentlemen, if this Congress will not adopt this army before 
ten moons have set, New England will adopt it, and she will un- 
dertake the struggle alone — yes, with a strong arm and a clean 
conscience, she will front the foe single-handed.' 

" This had the desired eftect. They saw New England was 
neither playing nor to be played with, and they agreed to appoint 
a day. A day was fixed : it came : Mr. Adams went in, took the 
floor, urged the measure, and after some debate it passed. 

" The next thing was to get a commander for this army, with 
supplies, etc. All looked to Mr. Adams on the occasion, and ho 
was ready. He then took the floor, and went into a minute de 
lineation of the character of General Ward, bestowing on him 
the encomiums which then belonged to no one else. At the end 
of the eulogy, he said : ' But this is not the man I have chosen.' 
He then went into the delineation of the character of a com 
mander-in-chief, such as was required by the peculiar situation 
of the colonies at that juncture. And after he had presented the 



440 APPENDIX. 

qualifications in his strongest language, and given the reasons for 
the nomination he was about to make, he said : — 

" ' Gentlemen, I know these quahfications are high, but we all 
know they are needful, at this crisis, in this chief. Does any one 
say they are not to be obtained in this country ? In reply, I have 
to say, they are ; they reside in one of our own body, and he is 
the person whom I now nominate — George Washington, of 
Virginia.' 

" Washington, who sat on Mr. Adams' right hand, was looking 
him intently in the face, to watch the name he was about to an- 
nounce, and, not expecting it would be his, sprang from his seat 
the minute he heard it, and rushed into an adjoining room. Mr. 
Adams had asked his cousin Samuel to ask for an adjournment 
as soon as the nomination was made, in order to give the mem 
bers time to deliberate — and the result is before the world. 
" I asked Mr. Adams, among other questions, the following : 
" ' Did you ever doubt of the success of the conflict ?' 
" ' No, no,' said he, ' not for a moment. I expected to be hung 
and quartered, if I was caught ; but no matter for that — my 
country would be free ; I knew George the Third could not forge 
chains long enough and strong enough to reach around these 
United States.' " 



A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC. 

The following interesting document was found among the 
papers of Major John Jacob Schsefmyer, a deceased patriot of 
the Revolution. It is a discourse delivered on the eve of the bat- 
tle of Brandywine, by Rev. Joab Trout, to a large portion of the 
American soldiers, in presence of General Washington, General 
Wayne, and other oflicers of the army. 

REVOLUTIONARY SERMON. 
«' They that take the sword shall perish by the sword.'* 

Soldiers and Countrymen : 

We have met this evening perhaps for the last time. We have 
shared tlie toil of the march, the peril of the fight, and the dis- 
may of the retreat alike ; we have endured the cold and hunger. 



APPENDIX. 441 

the contumely of the internal foe, and the courage of the foreign 
oppressor. We have sat, night after night, beside the camp fire ; 
we have together heard the roll of the reveille, which called us 
to duty, or the beat of the tattoo, which gave the signal for the 
hardy sleep of the soldier, with the earth for his bed and the 
knapsack for his pillow. 

And now, soldiers and brethren, we have met in the peaceful 
valley on the eve of battle, while the sunlight is dying away be- 
yond yonder heights, the sunlight that to-morrow morn will glim- 
mer on scenes of blood. We have met, amid the whitening tents 
of our encampment ; in the time of terror and gloom have we 
gathered together — God grant that it may not be for the last 
time. 

It is a solemn moment. Brethren, does not the solemn voice 
of nature seem to echo the sympathies of the hour ? The flag 
of our country droops heavily from yonder staff — the breeze has 
died away along the green plain of Chadd's Ford — the plain that 
spreads before us glittering in sunlight — the heights of the Bran- 
dywine arise gloomily and grand beyond the waters of yonder 
stream — ^all nature holds a pause of solemn silence on the eve of 
uproar and bloodshed and strife of to-morrow. 

" They that take the sword, shall perish by the sword." 

And have they not taken the sword? 

Let the desolated plain, the blood-sodden valley, the burned 
farm-house blackening in the sun, the sacked village, and the 
ravaged town, answer — let the whitening bones of the butchered 
farmer strewn along the fields of his homestead, answer — let the 
starving mother, with her babe clinging to the withered breast 
that can aftbrd no sustenance ; let her answer with the death rat- 
tle mingling with the murmuring tones that marked the last 
struggle of her life ; let the dying mother and her babe answer. 

It was but a day past, and our land slept in the quiet of peace. 
War was not here ; wrong was not here. Fraud and woe, and 
misery and want dwelt not among us. From the eternal solitude 
of the greenwoods, arose the blue smoke of the settler's cabin,- 
and golden fields of corn looked forth from amid tlie waste of the 
wilderness, and the glad music of human voices awoke the silence 
of the forest. 

Now, (xod of mercy, behold the change. Under the shadow 
of a pretext, under the sanctity of the name of God, invoking the 
Redeemer to their aid, do these foreign hirelings slay our people ! 
They throng our towns — they darken our plains, and now they 
encompass our posts on the lonely plain of Chadd's Ford. 



442 AfPENDIX. 

" Tliey tLat take the sword, shall perish by the sword ?" 

Brethren, think me not unworthy of belief when I tell you tha 
doom of the British is near. Think me not vain when I tell you 
that beyond the cloud that now enshrouds us, I see gathering 
thick and fast the darker cloud and blacker storm of Divine re- 
tribution ! 

They may conquer us to-morrow. Might and wrong prevail, 
and we may be driven from this field : but the hour of God's own 
vengeance will come ! 

Aye, if in the vast solitude of eternal space, if in the heart of 
the boundless universe, there throbs the being of an awful God, 
quick to avenge, and sure to punish guilt, then will the man 
George Brunswick, called King, feel in his brain and his heart, the 
vengeance of the eternal Jehovah ! A blight will be upon his 
life — a withered brain, and an accursed intellect; a blight will be 
upon his children and on his people. Great God, how dread the 
pnnishment. 

A crowded populace, peopling the dense towns where the man 
of money thrives, while the laborer starves : want striding among 
tlie people in all its forms of terror : and ignorant and God-defy- 
ing priesthood cliuckling over the miseries of millions ; a proud 
and merciless nobility adding wrong, and heaping insult upon 
the robbery and fraud : royalty corrupt to the very heart, and 
aristocracy rotten to the core ; crime and want linked hand in 
hand, and tempting men to deeds of woe and death — these are a 
part of the doom and retribution that come upon the English 
throne and the English people. 

Soldiers — I look around u^X)n your familiar faces with a strange 
interest. To-morrow morning we will go forth to the battle — for 
need 1 tell you that youi- unworthy ministei- will march with you 
invoking God's aid in the fight — we will march forth to battle! 
Need I exiiort you to fight the good fight, to fight for your home- 
steads, for your wires and children ? . 

My friends, I might urge you to fight by the galling memories 
of British wrongs. Walton — I might tell you of youi- father 
butchered in the silence of the night on the plains of Trenton ; 
I might picture his grey hairs dabbled in blood ; I might ring 
his death shriek in your ears. Shelmire — I might tell you of a 
butchered mother, and a sister outraged ; the lonely farm-house, 
the night assault, the roof in flames, the shouts of the troopers as 
they dispatched their victims, the cries for mercy and the p'ead- 
ings of innocence for pity. I might paint this all again in the 



APPENDIX. ^^^ 



vivid colors of the terrible reality, if I thought your courage 
needed such wild excitement. . ,-. t i v ^„ will 

But I know you are strong in the might of the Lord. You ^^lll 
march forth to battle on the morrow, with light hearts and detei^ 
mined spirit, though the solemn duty-the duty of avenging the 
dead— may rest heavy on your souls. , . , . i-. u^ 

And in the hour of battle, when all around is dai-knes., lit by 
the lurid cannon 2:lare, and the piercing musket flash, when tlie 
wounded strew the ground, and the dead litter your path-tlien 
remember, soldiers, that God is with you. The eternal <|'>d hghts 
for you— he rides on the battle cloud, he sweeps onward with the 
maiih of the hurricane charge-God the awful and infinite, fights 
for you, and you will triumph. ,, 

"They that take the sword, shall perish by the sword. 

You have taken the sword, but not in the spirit of wrong or 
ravaP-e. You have takeu Hie sword for your homes, for your 
wivel for your little ones. You have taken the sword for truth 
and justice, and right, and to you, the promise is-be of good 
cheer, for your foes have taken the sword m defiance of all that 
men hold dear, in blasphemy of God— they shall pei-ish by the 

^"^And now, brethren and soldiers, I bid you all farewell. Many 
of us may fall in the battle of to-morrow. God rest the souls ot 
the fallen 1 Many of us may live to tell the story of the fight to- 
morrow, and in the memory of all will ever rest and linger the 
quiet scenes of this Autumnal night. 

Solemn twilight advances over the valley; the woods on the 
opposite heights fling their long shadows over the green oi the 
meadow : around us are the tents of the continental host, the sup- 
pressed bustle of the camp, the hurried tramp of the soldiers to 
and fro among the tents, the stillness and awe that marks the eve 

^ When we meet again, may the shadows of twilight be flung 
over a peaceful land. God in heaven grant it. Let us pray. 

PRAYER OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Great Father, we bow before thee ; we invoke thy blessings, we 
deprecate thy wrath; we return thee thanks for the past, we ask 
thy aid for the future. For we are in times of trouble oh. Lord 
and sore beset by foes, merciless and unpitymg. The sword 
gleams over our land, and the dust of the soil is dampened with 
the blood of our neighbors and friends. 

Oh ! God of mercy, we pray tV.ee to bless the American arms. 



444 APPENDIX. 

Make the man of our hearts strong in thy wisdom ; bless, we be 
seech thee, with renewed life and strength, our hope, and thy in- 
strument, even George Washington ; shower thy counsels on the 
honorable the Continental Congress ; visit our host, comfort the 
soldier in his wounds and afflictions, nerve him for the fight, pre- 
pare him for the hour of death. 

And in the hour of need, oh, God '>f Hosts, do thou be our 
stay ; and in the hour of triumph, be thou our guide. 

Teach us to be merciful. Though the memory of galling 
wrongs be at our hearts, knocking for admittance, that they may 
fill u^with the desire of revenge ; yet let us, oh, Lord, spare the 
vanquished, though they never spared us, in the hour of butchery 
and bloodshed. 

Ajid in the hour of death, do thou guide us to the abode pre- 
pared for the blest ; so shall we return thanks unto thee, through 
Christ our Redeemer. God prosper the cause. Amen. 



«t 



W 56 



/v 



.' ',^'% 







.4? »!i«^. "> 



'bV 



-^ * O . « V^ 




*^T7r»' A 






o^. *''7vr* vv 



**'\ 
























*^o< 



\ 










. „ "^oV* 











*''■■ -■.•«■! im 



0^ "*. * 







C» *' 



